THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

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[Italiamia]

If it were not lazie, then I would say this is a good thing for Serie A. Just like Roma last year. But it won't last with lazie or any other team of limited resources.

[red]

No reason why Roma can't compete this year like they did last year.

They won't even have to be as good, because so many points are being dropped by everyone that the winning total is likely to be significantly lower.

[Carlo Romano]

The uneven contest! Exactly, Gio!

Andrew, with Inter slipping it's opened a door or two. I think Del Neri is not what your Juve needs but he may be enough to let you beat out Milan for second after Inter get back to the top.

[Italiamia]

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[Giacomo]

Not so early, lose to Basel and Roma is out of CL.

[Giacomo]

Lose to Lazio and Roma is -13, out of contention for fourth place too.

[Carlo Romano]

James, I think we all knew we would be one of the earlier contenders for dropping into the EL.

What really annoys me is in seeing the pathetic non-support of the tifosi italiani for their teams in this thing. Then again, if they are so disposed, who can blame them when it is so often squad players who are selected... a non-committal attitude from their own clubs, and they can watch if they wish from the comfort of home or better yet, in a sports bar where there will be plenty of females to add to the attraction!

[Giacomo]

For me finishing outside the top 2 is shameful given the resource-advantage Roma has over Cluj and Basel.

[maro]

I tend to think Taddei and Perrotta are much closer to the 'modern footballer' than most of our players are. We're struggling in the CL at the moment because we're playing badly - partly because of injuries, partly because of form, partly because of team shape, team equilibrium, whatever. Were the team playing well, we'd finish second in this group quite comfortably. Playing that front four, Carlo, isn't simply about a question of top-heavy balance, it's also a question of who's going to do the running off the ball. Could we play with two or three balls, then they'd be a killer combination. With only one ball only one player can have it at a time.

[Carlo Romano]

James, well we are rated fourth of importance in Italy so I'm prepared to be just a little more generous. I won't argue your point though, under those circumstances teams like those ought to be meat and drink to us, as they would indeed be if we were operating normally which we aren't, unfortunately. Too many differing problems which together make a formidable one...

We were talking of Rudi Voller on the Shoutbox earlier. I won't live in the past as regards ideas, but that doesn't mean I can't still appreciate the memory of "his" Roma from the late 1980's - early 1990's which was a decent Uefa Cup standard side at a time when that was worth something...and the fans turned up in the Olimpico to give their support!


Tommaso, I hate to speak of our team in this respect but I think the time has come to simply outscore the opposition as Spalletti used to so often be obligated to have "his lads" do, and Zeman likewise before him.

[ASR1927]

Jeez the good news keeps on coming.... who knew he had asthma? Well like Carlo said at least we have Mexes and Burdisso! Just think before it would have been Loria! So will it be Simplicio in for Brighi who was in for Pizarro?

Asthma Attack Forces Roma's Philippe Mexes To Miss Basel Champions League Match

Roma's Champions League future could be decided by a spate of injuries and illness as Philippe Mexes has been forced to withdraw from their crucial match against Basel after suffering an asthma attack.

The Frenchman was already struggling to shake off flu when his misery was compelled late on Monday night as he suffered an asthma attack. He will not travel with the rest of the squad for Wednesday's clash in Switzerland.

Matteo Brighi is also out. He has a quadriceps problem in his left leg and will not take part.

Francesco Totti is also a concern. He has bruising to his shoulder, and Claudio Ranieri is likely to decide whether he plays tomorrow.

A loss would mean Roma have little prospect of making the next round, although as things stand Basel, Cluj and Roma are all on three points in Group E heading into matchday four.

[Italiamia]

[RomaShield27]

Jasus, Brighi our for three weeks, too. That is a blow. Simplicio looked solid when he came on against Lecce, so we will need him now more than ever to show he still something to offer this team. Bad news about Mexes too. This is a must win game but its not looking good.

Is http://romanews.eu/ down for anyone else?

[Carlo Romano]

Awww....phook! Yeah, the news on the injuries is like my local weather right now. We had the mother and father of electrical storms at 05:15 and it's still bloody raining!

Jeff, well played with the update on Mexes. Who indeed would have thought he has asthma? I guess that's what having a physically fit body does for you, by far lessens the effect or he could never play football!

Gio, this Lazio hasn't got what it takes to lift lo scudetto, it is nothing like Cragnotti's team of the 1990's but they do have enough to be a damn nuisance to others. Sunday is not going to be easy! I have some really mean, anti-Lazio clipart banners I made for our last derby still stored. Perhaps I jinxed us with them back then, given that we lost, so I'm a little reluctant to use them this time...Well maybe a couple!

Ed, I have much more hope of Simplicio giving a positive contribution to us than of that wobbling jellybelly from Rio. Little Fatso along with Cicinho has said he is ready for tomorrow if needed and as you are also thinking, Ranieri will almost certainly play him as he has precious little option to do otherwise...

btw, I've been reading that Vuci just became the father of a baby son on Sunday...he was excused training today according to LaRoma24.it which is understandable.

[Italiamia]

[Carlo Romano]

Gio, interesting link!

Some of the things I've read over the years about those schifosi defies all logic, sanity and decent living. Although I had known about some of the goings on, you remember what pre-satellite tv and internet communications were like as regards the getting of available info. We in the UK had our eyes opened and no mistake with the transfer of that ignorant lout Paul Gascoigne to Lazio back in the early 1990's.

Football Italia which was then backed by Ch4 tv and Chrysalis broadcasting gave us an insight to their "Ultras" headquarters. I know our Curva Sud has its critics but those degenerates are something else! Ch4 showed us the hooligan attacks, the neo nazi-ism, etc. and all the surrounding hype which goes with it. Gascoigne mantained a contact with those characters for years after he left Lazio, which speaks volumes about the kind of man he is!

One of my female cousins is a laziala and in the days when we still spoke, she would berate me, saying I had no right to call myself a Romano just because my parents spent nearly the first two years of my life in la città eterna! Because my family as you know comes largely from the Sorrento and surrounding areas, to her I should therefore be a lazialo! The last words I ever spoke to her were, "Chiuda su, cagna fascista!"

But yes, all form goes out the window in the derby and for some reason I see a draw coming though I know that's far from what you and I want...


This is one of the "milder mannered" banners I made and have stored in my files:

[ASR1927]

Claudio Ranieri has warned Roma they are “gambling with our Champions League future” against Basel and has faith Francesco Totti can make it.
The Giallorossi are on the verge of elimination from the competition after their shock 3-1 home defeat to the Swiss outfit.

“We are gambling with our future in the Champions League. We have to play with a calm approach and determination,” said the Coach.

“We must avoid the errors we made in the first game and take advantage of Basel’s mistakes. It is a very important game for both teams and we want to continue in this tournament.

“We have not been very lucky so far. Basel scored with all three opportunities at the Olimpico. Tomorrow evening our opponents are playing on home turf, so will need to take the initiative more.”

There are injury woes for Ranieri, who is missing David Pizarro, Matteo Brighi, Rodrigo Taddei and Philippe Mexes.

There are also doubts over captain Totti, who will be suspended for the Rome derby in Serie A.

“Totti has pain in his shoulder, but I think he should be on the field tomorrow evening. The other players give me guarantees and the team spirit is sky high, so that is crucial to do well.

“Roma are a united squad with a strong desire to battle and get out of this difficult situation.”

Marco Borriello was a late addition to the ‘maybe’ list, as he limped off with a slight muscular problem during today’s training session in Switzerland.

[Carlo Romano]

Further to Jeff's post...

Obviously this can change as we approach kick off, but I'm seeing much the same news from the usual Roma websites and more importantly, from the tv channels Roma Uno, TeleRoma 56, and Radio Radio. Borriello is now doubtful but Totti and Cassetti are passed as fit to play and with Simplicio, will apparently start in a 4-2-3-1 module looking like:







We've seen rumours of a couple of Brazilian clubs considering taking Big Fatso off our hands but Santos seems to be the first to officially declare an interest. Let's hope!


There is also a piece from one of our former stars, Vincent Candela in tifosidellaroma.com which is certainly "to the point!" He is critical of Ranieri and doesn't regard Borriello as a "champion" though concedes he is a top player.

Read it here: http://www.tifosidellaroma.com/?p=3554


We all know Capitan' Francè feels hard done by over the one match ban and €20,000 fine, but he needs to just pick himself up and get on with the job of helping us recover, starting tonight!