THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[maro]

Awkwardly but then I went the reach-around and he relaxed into it.

[Zoff82]

[Carlo Romano]

Tommaso, I'm glad you and Jamil enjoyed your meeting. I'm sorry I won't even have the chance to meet him on his brief visit to my town...

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I watched the Russia-Argentina friendly this afternoon principally because of our rumoured interest in Nicola Burdisso, although there is more than enough attraction in a match like this to tempt a soccer fan, regardless of reason.

My assessment of Burdisso didn't change today, albeit that he only played the first half. Under what I'd term normal circumstances, he is capable enough and has the added bonus in an attacking sense of being good in the air at set plays. He is however suspect under pressure and two of his three only acts of note today were mistakes which nearly cost his side dearly and required his team mates to clear up!

The fact that he was just inches wide of scoring a goal with a bullet header is beside the point...it must be remembered that goalscoring is only an added bonus of a defender's qualities and it's not, or shouldn't be why a team pays for his services!

That said, even though this is essentially a Roma thread, a brief resumé of the game...

Russia being at home made the early plays which was as you'd expect and in fact I thought Argentina seemed a little lethargic. It would be a little cruel to attach blame to the Argentinian goalkeeper over Semsov's 17'th minute opening goal which was as cool and clinically taken as you'd expect from someone in a Guus Hiddink team. It woke Maradona's guys up though...but as the first half wore on I wondered if they would get a goal after missing a number of pretty fair opportunities. Until Aguero's 45'th min equaliser which came as the result of a poor clearance and was a well struck volley from the left wing, just outside the penalty area.

Second half, and Diaz replaced Burdisso...no surprise there. If I thought Semsov combined a clear head and cool finish then the Lopez goal inside the opening minute of the second half was poetry...and once Datolo got a third for Argentina I wondered if the Russians would collapse. To their credit, they didn't, and had a couple of reasonable goal attempts. Pavlyuchenko got the second Russian goal from a free kick on the right hand side of the "D" which deflected in off, I think, Mascherano.

3-2 wasn't a bad result, an entertaining game which the Argentines should have tied up before they did. As for our interest in Burdisso...he reminds me of a woman you wouldn't kick out of bed but you wouldn't bust a gut over getting her in there in the first place!

[maro]

I agree, Carlo. I've always had a soft spot for Burdisso after reading a piece on his personal troubles when he came to Italy and his daughter's struggles. I can see why the Interisti would be delighted to get rid of him, but I think he's also a higher quality player than we've tended to have sitting on our bench and so if we can get him for nothing he'd add a bit of experience and depth. I understand people's reservations, but I think he'd be a better third-choice CB than we've had for a while.

[maro]

Carlo, I just took the liberty of editing your post as it was messing with the pagination. I trust that's okay.

[arthurfonzarelli]

[arthurfonzarelli]

[RomaShield27]

[Carlo Romano]

Tommaso & Arthur, I didn't know about Burdisso's daughter and I agree it's difficult to not be sympathetic towards him. He has a certain talent and could do a job for us...


On the subject of how our imagination fires us as to each others' appearance...(all 130x170 forum avatar size!)


I'm not sure I ever saw you as Ed would have us believe!


Not that I imagine this is any more accurate as regards looks but I bet the ice pack part is at times...and that means online as well as work!


To continue, I don't suppose this truly reflects Oily...


But of course, we know this is me, the ageing café/bar beatnik!






Tommaso, no probs with the edit...you saved space and left the text intact.


Arthur, on your edit I'm speechless, effin' speechless!

[RomaShield27]

lol that first one is Maro in disguise alright, hanging out around the campus. That second one is Gio.

[Italiamia]

[RomaShield27]

[Carlo Romano]

Ed, heh heh, I watch what I post...this is what I want to see for my humour!


Not this!!!

[aba_bab]

Why would we want Andreoilli to stay on the bench if Burdisso comes in? Agreed i want Burdisso as a third choice CB on loan preferably, but hopefully we don't sell juan, and that'll leave minimal time for a 23 yr old defender. Wouldn't it be more feasiable to send him ouyt to bari for regular football. This is assuming we don't catch the bubonic plague in the locker rooms like we seem to be doing every october. If we do again this year, we could recall him back in January.

Don't get me wrong, I want Andreolli to have a part to play in Roma's future.. at least i want to see how he fares a whole season with semi-regular football, but I think more hamr will be done than good if we bring in Burdisso AND keep Andreoilli as a fourth choice CB. This is where i miss panucci.

[Italiamia]

[edge_xeno]

Guys, i'll be in Rome next Sunday for the 1st time, any recommendations?

Stefano & Giovanni, please check your PM's

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

[maro]

[Jamoldo]