THE WOLF'S DEN - Tana dei Lupi I

[Zoff82]

[vtec]

[pocari_fenrir]

oh wow....... looks like something out of Hostel

[RomaShield27]

De Rossi: Vucinic Is A


Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi believes that striker Mirko Vucinic has a bright future ahead and has described him as a ‘monster’.

With the scores level on Tuesday night in the Champions League clash between Roma and Sporting Lisbon, Vucinic came off the bench to score a superb solo goal and give his team a priceless 2-1 victory.

The Montenegrin star has not had much playing time this season due to Coach Luciano Spalletti’s decision to employ Francesco Totti as the lone front-man. However with Totti struggling to be fit for Sunday’s big match with Milan, it seems Vucinic will get his chance from the start.

Team-mate De Rossi is in no doubt about the 24-year-old’s ability and when asked what he thought about the ex-Lecce man, he repeatedly shouted: “He is a monster, he is a monster, he is a monster.â€

[RomaShield27]

Totti will likely miss Sunday's game with Milan, and sure if so it may not all be that bad as it would give Vucinic an excellent opportunity to start as a striker for the first time this season, and with his goal against Sporting now is the time for him to build on that and do what he does best: score, and score often. Chris said it in his blog today, 5 goals in last 6 games when he plays in his proper position. No more of this out wide on the left crap. Spalletti has to find a way to adapt to allow both Mirko and Totti to play upfront. Play Totti as trequartista, drop Mancini, play with no goalkeeper, I don't care, but Vucinic has to play upfront.

Totti will of course be a big loss if he does not play, but even in his absence I still think we'd have a chance in this game and with the up-and-down and indifferent form of both teams it really could go either way. The pressure would be on both – and despite Milan's big win over Shakacar they are still a team under pressure – and so it could be a close one. I'd be happy with a draw, probably a high-scoring one at that, with the LitM really coming to live.




ROME (AP) - AC Milan and AS Roma are back on track in the Champions League. Now, they want to get going again in Serie A. Milan and Roma meet at the San Siro on Sunday in the ninth round of the Italian league. Milan routed Shakhtar Donetsk 4-1 on Wednesday and Roma beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 a day earlier.

"Now we've got to have continuity, although the Champions League and Serie A are really different sports," Milan playmaker Kaka said.

Milan is languishing in 11th place in the Italian league standings, 10 behind leader and city rival Inter Milan. The Rossoneri were beat 1-0 at home by Empoli last week, and have failed to win at the San Siro in the league. Milan has struggled with its attack, but Alberto Gilardino scored twice in the opening 14 minutes against Shakhtar for his first goals in this season's competition. Gilardino has scored just twice in Serie A.

"He's improving, although he's always had difficulty at the beginning of the year finding his best form," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said of Gilardino. With Filippo Inzaghi struggling, and Ronaldo not expected back from injury until perhaps mid-November, an inform Gilardino could be an important weapon for Milan.

Roma's top player, Francesco Totti, will likely miss the game after bruising his ankle against Sporting. He is expected to save himself for the derby with Lazio three days later.

Totti's replacement, Mirko Vucinic, scored the winning goal against Sporting. Vucinic scored 19 goals for Lecce in the 2004-05 Serie A season, but has struggled to find form with limited playing time at Roma this season and last. "I hope this is a turning point," Vucinic said.

The Roma team is also hoping for a turning point. The Giallorossi started the season perfectly with five straight wins in all competitions, and 10 goals scored with none allowed. Since then, Roma has won only once in five games in the league.

Inter had a slow start, but is now ahead of its record pace from last season. Inter rallied to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 on Tuesday and now faces a significant test at Palermo. The Sicilian club's strikers, Amauri and Fabrizio Miccoli, have scored three goals each. Inter midfielder Patrick Vieira could miss up to two months after getting injured again against CSKA. Inter leads the standings with 20 points, followed by Juventus with 17, Fiorentina with 16 and Roma 15.

Juventus visits Napoli on Saturday without midfielder Pavel Nedved and coach Claudio Ranieri, who are both suspended. Naples native Raffaele Palladino could replace Nedved, while French assistant Christian Damiano will substitute for Ranieri.

Saturday's other game is Torino vs. Cagliari. Newly promoted Genoa hosts Fiorentina in the late game Sunday. Genoa is tied for fifth with 12 points. Also Sunday, it's: Catania vs. Sampdoria, Empoli vs. Atalanta, Lazio vs. Udinese, Parma vs. Livorno and Siena vs. Reggina.                                                                                                                             

[Italiamia]

[edge_xeno]

Seriously Shield, do u work for goal.com???

[quote]Team-mate De Rossi is in no doubt about the 24-year-old’s ability and when asked what he thought about the ex-Lecce man, he repeatedly shouted: “He is a monster, he is a monster, he is a monster.â€

[aba_bab]

good god.. they need to take it easy on the head slaps on Vuchie after he scored.. i'm suprised he wasnt knocked unconciosu after DDR and Panucci's swats!

[stefano]

[RomaShield27]

Awfully quiet init...

Totti to miss Milan
Football Italia – Friday 26 October, 2007

Roma captain Francesco Totti will miss Sunday’s game against Milan, but may shake off an ankle injury to play in Wednesday’s Rome derby. Er Pupone picked up a knock after a clash with Liedson in the Giallorossi’s win over Sporting Lisbon in midweek. Initial fears that the talismanic goal machine may be out for several weeks disappeared as tests showed that the injury wasn’t serious.

However, while there had been suggestions that Totti could be patched up to play against Milan, it has now been confirmed that he won’t feature. Roma’s medical team are now doing everything in their power to ensure that the 31-year-old is available for the Derby della Capitale against Lazio on Wednesday.

Things look better for midfielder Simone Perrotta who is expected to pass tomorrow’s fitness test and be named in the side to face the Rossoneri. Brazilian winger Rodrigo Taddei’s frustration grows as he remains out of action, but he hasn’t ruled out a place on the bench for the battle against Lazio.


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

So with Totti out, our chances of coming away from the San Siro with a result are obviously a lot slimmer. He is an irreplaceable player, much like how Milan would suffer if Kaka was missing (wishful thinking). But we have a good backup – not a replacement – and now Vucinic will get his chance to make his first start as prima-punta this season. And can be thankful that Totti's absence is coming at a time when it looks like Vucinic is really ready to step up and prove his worth, and I know he is. His spectacular and truely breathtaking goal against Sporting will have done wonders for his confidence, and now he has to build on that lead the line for us against Milan, and I believe he will do so admirably and hopefully will bag a goal or three. Here's to the LitM.

Anyone see these new propsal's for a new stadium for Barcelona? Looks impressive (altough not a patch on Croker, right Maro?), Glad might appriciate it (if he ever returns from stalking Rosella or whatever he's doin):



Can anyone translate this interview with Cicinho over on Il Romanista? A lot of rumours flowing about that he's unhappy but its all a load of driedhorsemanurecrapbolloocktits (at least I think it is):

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

[maro]

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

[Lombardiamia]

[maro]

[vtec]

[aba_bab]

Ohh looky looky... the resident cicinho hater/casseti lover is online.

Hope you're happy professor... your constant criticism of the RLitM has gone and upset him.

Ya know.. regardless of what the officials say... i think about half of the rumors that start up have just cause. Although he hasnt gotten much time, i dont think it shud upset him enough to want to leave?! I mean.. for gods sake man.. you just flew into rome a few days before the transfer deadline.. get in shape.. get familiar with the tactics. Infact, i'd say for someone in his position, he's had a fair amount of time so far.

Anyways.. lets get to the games... some super good odds.. the resident gamblers really should start up a betting thread.. i know i'll be seeing vtec in there.. and for some reason i get the impression that maro has placed his fair share of bets...

[edge_xeno]

Ask no questions!!!

what the hell is this picture, i got it from the addicts, it appears to be from ilmessaggero.it, damn, i was gonna get a heart attack!!!

I need more info on this pic. please.

Damn his name looks good on this jersey!!!