THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi II

[Lupa]

Spotted this on the Offside. Ermes video about the Bayern Munich game.



If for no other reason than the highlights are of really high quality.

Seeing that pk again reminds me of how nervous I get seeing Totti take them. Aside from the one recently, he always goes to the keeper's right, and low.

[Carlo Romano]

Lupa, I liken watching all of those highlights again to being given a preview on the same night of what heaven and hell must be like!

Then being thankful for the way it ends!

[Lupa]

Not much happening here today, even with those who weren't busy recovering from so much thankfulness.

Anyway, looks like this match is being billed as 'Pastore vs Menez', with Zamparini asserting that Pastore is better than Menez and Simplicio responding that he prefers Menez because he's more complete. (imagine someone saying that a year ago, but he's impressed in all areas lately) Oh, and Simplicio is hoping he doesn't get whistled.

It looks like Borriello and Totti with Menez behind, although it's not certain.

I know I don't quite fill in the news as Carlo does, but I don't really translate, just skim the articles and post what seems important. Seeing as no one else is talking about our game yet perhaps this will stir some discussion. I know one person at least who will probably think Vooch should start, but I can't see dropping either Borriello or Menez right now.

I see we're the late game Sunday; I hadn't realized that until today.

[RomaShield27]

Roma, gli infortunati: Vucinic distorsione, tempi di recupero incerti
– Sabato 27 Novembre 2010 13:33

Come comunicato dal sito ufficiale della società, oltre che dall'addetto stampa della Roma Elena Turra in conferenza stampa, ecco le condizioni fisiche degli infortunati. Mirko Vucinic ha interrotto l'allenamento di questa mattina per via di una distorsione alla caviglia sinistra. Per ora non si sanno i tempi di recupero. Leandro Greco soffre di trauma contusivo distorsivo al ginocchio sinistro rimediato in Roma-Bayern Monaco ed ha svolto allenamento differenziato. Adriano, oltre ai postumi dell'attacco influenzale di ieri, ha un risentimento alla caviglia e ha fatto anche lui lavoro differenziato. Perrotta, Taddei e Okaka hanno proseguito il loro percorso riabilitativo emartedi rientreranno in gruppo.

[Carlo Romano]

Lupa, no discussion because some of 'em are probably still lying drunk in a corner after the holiday...

and others are going about their usual weekend. I imagine!










Il Romanista: and other sources are saying Vuci is out of our Palermo match...


Mirko Vučinić had to be stretchered off during this morning’s training after suffering a sprained ankle and will be unlikely to recover in time for the Palermo gig tomorrow evening. Greco will also miss out as will Big Fatso. Nico Burdisso as we know is disqualified...but we do have Pizarro who will start. Signor Claudio this morning tried out a module with Ménez behind Borriello and Totti.

I Convocati: Lobont, Cicinho, Castellini, Juan, Mexes, Pizarro, Totti, De Rossi, Riise, Julio Baptista, Borriello, G Burdisso, Julio Sergio, Simplicio, Doni, Brighi, Cassetti, Rosi, Ménez.

Going by the above info we will possibly see...




Info from: http://www.ilromanista.it/le-ultime-dai ... lermo.html

and... http://laroma24.it/archivio/32102/b-pal ... ano-b.html



I will try to get back later with updates presuming there are some. Let's hope we can get the away win...I know it can be dismissed as rhetoric but I enjoyed reading Greco's thoughts on how Jeremy Ménez is better than Palermo's Pastore!

[Carlo Romano]

Internet feeds are really Ed's forté. For the most part I've been fortunate to seldom need them which would explain my vagueness around them. Hopefully these two will work for somebody. The Time Soccer one won't give all the alternatives until an hour beforehand but the link below will at least get you on the page.


http://www.atdhe.net/29433/watch-palermo-vs-as-roma

http://www.timesoccer.com/match-online.html



For anyone with access to ESPN UK, the match is being shown live from 19:45 BST as you will see from the list below, which includes the various satellite sources in the European footprint.

[RomaShield27]

I'm watching the match on Setanta Ireland, Carlo – do you get that over there? The commentary is much better, Mick Wallace really knows his stuff, for a culchie Rubentini cnut.

How the hell are we losing this game? We've been in control throughout and have moved the ball around very nicely, and I just don't know how we haven't scored. We've gotten caught out on the counter too much as well as giving Pastore too much space to work his magic, but other than the goal I can't remember a real clear cut chance for Palermo. We've had loads on the other end, well, lots of decent chances anyway, but just couldn't put one away. Some nice play, I wouldn't change much, just more of the same and things should hopefully turn around. Pity that Vucinic fella is out.

[red]

You're playing pretty football, but most of it is sideways and in front of Palermo.

You need to actually get in behind their defence at some point.

You've also wasted several two-on-one situations in wide areas because the players have been slow to control and move the ball and it allows Palermo to shuffle across and close down the space.

[RomaShield27]

Yes, we need more penetration. Borriello is doing his best with some nice runs in behind but too often Totti and Menez have quite literally gotten in each others way. Pizza has been quiet too, just coming back from injury, and we need to get into it more to free more space for those ahead of him.

[Carlo Romano]

Ed, I'm jinxed tonight...my cousin picked now to bring her two little ones to visit!

From what I saw of the goal, you just wouldn't have figured on Pizarro to be the one to have a concentration lapse, letting the ball get away from him which was the start of it. From there, when it appeared we'd managed get the ball from danger, on the right, I'd have to say we can look to Cassetti for not doing more to prevent the ball from getting over to the left by backing off, as was Riise on his own side, giving Miccoli so much room to line up his shot.

No, we don't get Setanta any more. ESPN took their operation over when they ran into financial difficulty here. The commentators aren't bad but it's only one guy per match, no co-commentator. Their Serie A coverage is not given the importance of the domestic games.

Yeah, like I said yesterday, we needed all our options tonight...no Vuci won't help our cause!

[RomaShield27]

OMFG... counter-attack after counter-attack after counter-attack... what the flying fuck...

[Lupa]

Shield, did someone offend you in the SB? Please come over and play with us.

Isn't it lonely over here?

[Carlo Romano]

Hmmmnnn...so Capitan' Francè finally scores from open play! Oh well, if nothing else it saves us from a minus goal difference! 18 for, 18 against in 14 games...

[RomaShield27]

Well, Lupa, I won't say anyone offended me personally, but I will say I've been disappointed with a lot of the goings-on around here lately, and no more than that. Those involved will know what I mean.

That was disappointing. It wasn't exactly a disastrous performance, result yes, but we played some very nice football in the first-half, but we were a little naive in our approach to our defending as a team and were far too exposed on the counter-attack. Pizarro looked very much off the pace, but is back from a difficult injury, but we just didn't defend well enough as a team. Palermo are a good side and in can be a hard place to go to play, and players like Pastore and Illicic and Miccoli will hurt you if you give them that much space running at you. On another night we would of had scored at least once going into the break and then we left ourselves far too exposed in the second when we were pushing on looking for an equaliser. Disapointing, but it just wasn't our night. Having our best player out injured didn't help, either.

[Carlo Romano]

There is an old expression which reads along the lines of, "drawing a veil over a painful moment!" I'm thinking there's more than one to be covered! If nobody minds, I'll leave posting the player ratings for now...I rather think our lads were given several 5.5s and if there was more than a 6 out there tonight, I didn't see it!

[pocari_fenrir]

Saw the game on TLN and we looked pretty promising at the start. There were however few things that bothered me when we conceded. Where was Juan on all 3 goals?? First goal, he didnt bother to come across to mark his man. Second goal, he didnt mark the wide open tap-in when he was nearest, totally caught ball-watching. Third goal, he didnt even bother to run back on the break. Also, De Rossi is no longer that holding midfield anchor for us no more. He keeps disappearing further up the park with Menez. Menez throws a hissy fit and subs himself off after 3-0 down as well... what gives?? He also cant seem to play alongside Totti, which stagnates our offense. Some good running in that department but cant quite seem to get the shot off or on target. Simplicio's instincts died down apparently when he showed us that mistimed shot. After the half, we just looked disgraceful, hopefully we can bounce back. Was a good week to climb the tables too...... not anymore.

[Carlo Romano]

On the day that Ranieri once more complains: "Ancora siamo stati troppo lenti" (Again we were too slow!") on Sky Italia...


is the description from Il Romanista. (a south-easter!)


From Romanews, the player ratings, or pagelle, with comments by Marco Valerio Rossomando.
I often laugh at the way this can translate as "school report" but somehow tonight the humour escapes me...


A "bloody" defeat for Roma that very much lost an occasion today to re-enter the higher placings. Blame in part, the formation of il mister Ranieri. Ménez alone is spared from criticism. Riise once again played badly, and Pizarro had an "off day!" Mexes and Juan suffered.


Julio Sergio - 6: Did not react on (to prevent) the first goal, but could do nothing about the second and third. A Miracle (save) on Pastore and other good actions. The defeat today is not his fault.

Cassetti - 5.5: Played partly well but was late in his challenges, was poor in his crossing.

Juan - 5: Today was not his day. Slow and too little reaction on Pastore. He fell asleep.

Mexes - 5: Has to take responsibiliy on the Ilicic goal where he lost out too easily. Was distracted, was not the Mexes seen in the last few games.

Riise - 4.5: "Granted" too much space to Miccoli who put Palermo in front. Got burned by Nocerino with his goal. He is not himself and must absolutely find himself again!

Pizarro - 4.5: On his post-injury comeback, lost out completely the contest with Nocerino and Migliaccio: badly.

De Rossi - 5.5: Useful in phases today but suffered as did our entire midfield.

Simplicio - 5: Truly did little. Ugly after the last good performances.

Ménez - 6.5: The only good news of the day for Ranieri came from him. Played a good and varied game, was always dangerous, today was like a general without an army. Forced to leave the field with a knee problem.

Totti - 5.5: Returned to goalscoring from open play but that was not enough. Was too slow, did not spark the the flame!

Borriello - 5.5: Was never given one useful ball. Tried to make something happen but there was nothing to make.

Baptista - 4.5: Came on, was a passenger, then went for a shower. Very bad!

Cicinho - s.v.

Ranieri - 5.5: An Ugly Roma! Lost a very good chance to re-enter the top placings. With a defence like this, will not go far. Roma is losing too many goals.



Tonight I am moved to introduce something I used occasionally on XFF when we suffered a poor player performance...but here with a new logo.



Ménez even with his faults was definitely "Tops." Baptista, Pizzaro, and Riise may share the same low 4.5 rating but the difference is our little Pizza Man and Big Ginger will improve. So "Il Bestione" takes the wooden spoon...again! A great big "Flops!!!"



La Classifica:




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Pocari, you and Marco Rossomando are of much the same opinion!

I was too pissed off to give a proper assessment earlier...

[Italiamia]

I don't know what fans were expecting today. This game had all of the makings of a loss even before the boys left for Sicily. They are emotionally drained, sapped of energy, tapped out, because the the CL match. There was no way they were going to win this match.

We have to move on and try to take as many points as we can before the Christmas break.

[Carlo Romano]

Gio, I expected a draw. All told, we ought to have been worth even holding those guys to a boring 0-0...or so I thought! A pity it didn't pan out that way...

[Giacomo]

The CL game was 5 days ago, I am sure it had almost nothing to do with this game, just as it did not stop Milan dominating Sampdoria in their 1:1 draw 24 hours earlier.