THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[arthurfonzarelli]

[Lombardiamia]

[Bagg10]

[RomaShield27]

http://www.romanews.eu/news.asp?newsID=409&pag=3

Some interesting random little bits in here:

• The Ginger Minger scored four goals in training today, including two long-rangers, and generally all round impressed (the fecker still can't do it when it matter though). He was even stopped for a "long time" for photos and autographs afterward (people obviously confused him with eh someone important and un-ginger).
• The LitM scored a fantastic beautiful wonderful magical goal, and made it through the session with no complaints.
• Perrotta hurt his back and was in some pain, but is likely to be alright for Sunday.
• Brighi was struck down by the mysteries of 'muscular fatigue', and didn't train with the rest of the team.
• Doni and Panucci are back for Sunday.
• About 60 tifosi gathered outside Trigoria (cheering Il Capitano), and asked Vucinic when he will perform his next 'striptease', to which he replied, "I will on Sunday".

[RomaShield27]

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Roma have 13 points to make up on leaders Inter Milan and cannot afford to slip up at Napoli on Sunday if they are to maintain a realistic challenge for the Scudetto. The Giallorossi waved goodbye to any chance of defending the Coppa Italia trophy when they lost 2-1 at Inter on Wednesday.

The defeat which allowed Inter to progress to the semi-final stages was a bitter blow for Roma, who had made it to the final in the last four seasons. Roma felt hard done after the referee decided to award Inter's winner despite Walter Samuel looking to be in an offside position before providing the assist for Zlatan Ibrahimovic's second goal.

"Inter don't need this kind of help to win," said Roma president Rosella Sensi. "We didn't deserve to be knocked out of the Coppa Italia. It's difficult for the players to accept a defeat in a top-quality game knowing that the outcome was not a result of their performance."

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti preferred to look at the positives. "We played a good game and when you play like this you return home disappointed by the result but not by our performance. Now we must turn the page and focus on Sunday's game at Napoli."

The Giallorossi welcome back Roma captain Francesco Totti for the encounter at the San Paolo. Totti has been sidelined since December with a groin injury but has recovered and could see some action against the Partenopei.

His absence has not hindered Roma, however, who have found a sturdy replacement in Brazilian striker Julio Baptista. Baptista's match-winning performances against Sampdoria and Torino allowed the Eternal City club to continue their recovery from a horrible start to the campaign.

Roma were close to the relegation zone last year but their form has been so good off late that they are now just five points off fourth-placed Genoa, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

However, the Giallorossi will face a battle this weekend against a side that has only given away two points at home this season. Their impressive form in Naples has allowed Edoardo Reja's men to stand in fifth position at the half-way point of the campaign.

Reja's side will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's 2-1 loss at struggling Chievo - their sixth defeat on their travels. With just two wins collected on the road so far this campaign, the pressure will be on Napoli to take all three points on Sunday.

The hosts will be without pivotal midfielder Marek Hamsik, who serves the first of a two-match ban. Hamsik's absence will be a blessing for Roma, with the Slovakian international, who has struck seven goals this campaign for Napoli, having been awarded the trophy for best youngster in Serie A by the Italian footballers' association this week .

The visitors will be without Cicinho, who serves a one-match ban, but have Italy midfielder Simone Perrotta back from suspension.

[Italiamia]

'Realistic challange for the scudetto'. Does anyone here pretend that we actually have a chance to win the whole thing? Regardless, from what I am reading, this may be the largest crowd at the San Paolo ever to attend a match. I did not realise that Napoli have been nearly prerfect at home this season. It is going to be a tough match. I don't know whether to believe the reports coming out of Italy that Totti is going to play.

[stefano]

[romawi]

[stefano]

[Lombardiamia]

[RomaShield27]

[Italiamia]

[p_maldini_3]

[Italiamia]

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[marco]

[romawi]

[Italiamia]

[stefano]

[marco]