THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[Lupa]

[RomaShield27]

[maro]

[maro]

[RomaShield27]

CASSETTI THRILLED BY DERBY WINNER
– By Cindy Garcia-Bennett, Press Association Sport, Rome

Roma defender Marco Cassetti described it as the "best possible feeling" after coming off the bench to score the winner in Sunday night's 1-0 derby win over Lazio. Cassetti struck 11 minutes from time to pull the Giallorossi to within one point of the top four in Serie A.

"It's the best possible feeling for a Roma player to score in a derby," admitted Cassetti. "I didn't have the strength to celebrate it because I couldn't believe it. I have never scored such an important goal."

The result lifted Roma to within touching distance of Parma, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot. "I always believe in my team," said Cassetti. "We have great potential. We are gradually returning to play at the level of the past few years."

Roma were pushed all the way and escaped unscathed after Mauro Zarate struck the post on the hour mark before Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio made a stunning save to deny Stefano Mauri from close range. "I am extremely happy because I have given much more today," said Julio Sergio. "It has been a special night and I am delighted with the result and to be a member of this team."

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri praised Lazio, who dominated for much of the encounter before slumping to a defeat.

"We were in better shape because we went into the game on the back of several wins but Lazio are a good team," he said. "Things are not going well for them but they play well and I'm convinced that soon they will bounce back. "I am doubly satisfied as we have not conceded a goal and that is good news as we had suffered in our previous games in that department."

Lazio have not won since August 30 and are just one point above the drop zone after 15 games played. "We have to come out of this difficult situation," said Lazio coach Davide Ballardini. "We must do this by showing the same determination and character my players displayed tonight."

The result coupled with last week's elimination from the Europa League has left Ballardini facing plenty of criticism. However, the coach remained cool in the face of the growing pressure. "I have not spoken to (Lazio president Claudio) Lotito about my future," he said. "I am only thinking about my work. Tonight I compliment my players, who have played a great game."

------------------------------------------------

Great video from ForzaRomaINFO of highlights of celebrations etc. (and the bit of the scccrrrmozzle) after the final whistle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ-KcOR_Fps

Another similar one from ASRomaCalcioTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GieLHLcAis

------------------------------------------------

[Italiamia]

[Italiamia]

[edge_xeno]

[edge_xeno]

[Italiamia]

[stefano]

[aba_bab]

[red]

[p_maldini_3]

[romawi]

[romawi]

[maro]

[Italiamia]

Back to reality I guess. Rosella and her sisters still own this club and the damage is being felt around the world:

Petrucci hitting the heights
Manchester United starlet Davide Petrucci has recovered from his groin and hip injuries and is fast making a name for himself in the reserves.

The playmaker was controversially signed as a 16-year-old in 2008 from Roma, where he was seen as Francesco Totti's heir.

United paid £200,000 compensation and Il Romanista, declared at the time that the Premiershit side had stolen him and he would be worth ten times that amount by 2012.

Whatever the circumstances, he arrived in he has certainly settled in well and is highly regarded by his various coaches at Old Trafford.

“Davide is an all-round midfield player,â€

[RomaShield27]

[marco]

further to giovanni's article above, here's a glimpse of what our team's post-totti creative resource could have looked like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28meFPM7VIk