THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[RomaShield27]

Nedzo?! lol. Is SuperMarco really training with the squad? He is involved with the youth set-up with Roma now isn't he? As coach or something?

[maro]

I'd answer those questions, nedzo, only I don't like clogging up the threads with SMS-style one- or two-sentence posts.

[Lupa]

Zenit appointed Spalletti. Do they need a gk? Maybe he'd like to take Doni.

[RomaShield27]

Wow. Didn't think he'd really go there. Wish him all the best, I'm sure he'll do a great job. Are Zenith rich? I'd imagine so. Maybe Doni and Baptista? Guberti?

[Lupa]

[RomaShield27]

[Italiamia]

[marco]

[Lupa]

I know Shield doesn't like it when we don't talk much before a game, so here's a talking point:

«Paura di giocare contro Cassano? Avrà paura lui, penso». Firmato Francesco Totti. Il capitano della Roma non teme lo scontro di domenica sera contro una Samp ferita, nè la 'prima volta' contro il suo ex gemello giallorosso, Antonio Cassano che da quando se ne andò dalla capitale non è mai riuscito a confrontarsi con Totti.

http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizi ... i...%C2%BB

Aside from his broadside at Zarate, I thought Totti was kind of quite before the derby, so he's firing on all cylinders (or at least one) for this game, I guess. Cassano had some kind of verbal thing with Samp fans again this week I think (didn't pay much attention), so could be interesting.

[RomaShield27]

I don't think Totti said anything out of the ordinary, he was just responding to questions me asked of him ("are you afraid of Cassano?"), I betcha the two of them will hug/embrace before kick-off.

SAMPDORIA - ROMA: I CONVOCATI
– pubblicata sabato 12 dicembre 2009

SERIE A TIM 2009/2010
16^ giornata UC SAMPDORIA– AS ROMA
domenica 13 dicembre 2009 ore 20.45
Stadio Luigi Ferraris di Genova
Arbitro : sig. Damato

Andreolli
Artur
Baptista
Bertagnoli
Brighi
Burdisso
Cassetti
Cerci
Cicinho
De Rossi
Faty
Guberti
Juan
Lobont
Motta
Okaka
Perrotta
Riise
Taddei
Totti
Vucinic

[Lupa]

It recalled this morning that il Capitano has scored some beautiful goals vs. Samp, so maybe we're in store for one tomorrow. To reminisce:

I don't expect to see this now that he's practically on the verge of retirement according to some, but this was spectacular
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqQRdLQ66K4

and then there was this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0GyYaI6 ... L&index=15

[SPqR]

[maro]

[edge_xeno]

[maro]

[maro]

[Lupa]

[RomaShield27]

GOALLESS IN SAMPDORIA


Sampdoria and Roma both benefited from a goalless draw at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday night as they moved into a share of fifth position in Serie A. Chances were few and far between on a bitterly cold night in Liguria, although Roma created the better opportunities in a strong half-hour spell in the second half.

After a bright start, Samp started to suffer as they have done in recent weeks, but they showed the strength to react and clinch a point which sees them rise five places in the table, just three points behind fourth-placed Parma.

The first signs of winter hit Genoa with force as the temperature dropped with a freezing wind ensuring both teams sustained a high tempo merely to keep warm. Former Roma forward Antonio Cassano tried to warm the home fans too with his imagination and creativity inspiring the home team to make a better start to the game.

His vision enabled him to cross the ball to Daniele Mannini, whose volley from just inside the penalty area missed the post by inches as Roma goalkeeper Julio Sergio could only watch and hope. Moments earlier, Roma had two chances with Rodrigo Taddei's volley deflecting just wide while John Arne Riise's volley from a training-ground corner came even closer to breaking the deadlock.

Angelo Palombo tested Julio Sergio with a 25-yard drive which turned wickedly in the air, forcing the Roma keeper to push the ball behind. From the corner, Marius Stankevicius' header bounced back off the base of the post, but it did not fall too kindly for Giampaolo Pazzini, who headed the rebound wide from close range.

Roma reacted well in the second half and, for half an hour, they laid siege to the Samp goal. Nicolas Burdisso's header missed the target before Simone Perrotta poked a shot wide with just Luca Castellazzi to beat after a good combination between Mirko Vucinic and Francesco Totti.

Castellazzi tipped Vucinic's header over the crossbar as the Giallorossi kept getting closer to scoring, but when Perrotta's header was blocked at point-blank range by Palombo, it was clear that it was not going to be their night.

Samp were unable to find a way of beating Julio Sergio either, although they did manage to contain Roma and not suffer any nervous moments in the final 15 minutes. But Cassano was not seeing enough of the ball and, without their playmaker, the Blucerchiati lacked creativity as they settled for a draw in front of their own fans.

[maro]

[RomaShield27]

Didn't Chris used to do a hair topic on his blog ages ago? Ah, found the tag: http://roma.theoffside.com/roma/hair-debate . He could have some fun with that these days. (speaking of Chris, haven't seen him around here in a long time, have you?). Cassetti's slicked-back seventies porn-star effort (good description) has to be the worst of the lot, what is he thinking?! Its ridiculous.

I only seen the second-half last night and that from a dodgy enough stream (full match in the ). I didn't see the point in taking off Vooch at all. Sure, he may not have been at his best, but he wasn't having a stinker either, and as Spalletti always liked to point out he is a player who can change any game at any given moment (see: nudey celebrations etc.). I don't know what to make of Baptista. Sure, he is a mule, an incredible hulk without the incredible, has a rapist touch etc., but I can't help but keep expecting him to be able to get back to something like an average football player sometime soon. I mean like a decent player. He is in contention for a WC spot for Brazil, the friggin favourites for the competition, for Gods sake, surely he has to show some sort of form sooner rather than later? He's an enigma. A shite enigma. I agree about Guberti, certainly he should of been given more of a run in place of Taddei, at least another 10 minutes to what he got.