Serie A: Messina - Roma [14-01-07]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 19 - 14/1/07 (14.00 UK)
Messina - Roma

Stadio San Filippo

Messina and Roma will both be desperate for the win when they come face to face in Sicily. The capital giants know they need all the points they can get if they are to keep pace with Inter at the top, while the hosts need to stop their slide down the table before it is too late.

The Sicilian fans’ heads must still be spinning after the way their team went into the winter break. After an excellent start to the season, which saw them occupying a European place for some time, the rot seemed to set in and they have dropped like a stone down the Serie A rankings.

Just a month ago Messina would have thought of the relegation battle as a distant fight at the other end of the table, but now they find themselves just three points away from the drop zone. Add in third from bottom Reggina’s impressive record this season and they could find themselves in big trouble if they can’t turn things around soon.

Of course a large factor in Messina’s slide was the injury to top scorer and surprise Capocannoniere candidate Christian Rigano. It will please many people in Sicily then to hear that Rigano is expected to return to the starting line-up against Roma after recovering from his injury.

There is more cause for optimism as well with new signing Manolo Pestrin likely to start in central midfield, while his fellow January arrival Andrea Giallombardo will probably have to be content with a place on the bench for the time being. Also, Marco Zoro misses out through suspension after his sending off in the 4-0 defeat to Fiorentina before Christmas and Mathew Olorunleke is still to recover from his lengthy injury.

Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti has a little more on his plate, but still has plenty of options available. Summer signings Gilberto Martinez and Mirko Vucinic are both still out after going under the knife in an effort to cure their persistent injuries, while Marco Cassetti and Alberto Aquilani join them in the treatment room. Philippe Mexes will also miss this tie due to his suspension.

Despite those absences though, new-boy Francesco Tavano is still unlikely to make the starting line-up following his loan move from Valencia. The forward is expected to start on the bench as Spalletti looks likely to stick with his tried and trusted attacking four of Francesco Totti, Amantino Mancini, Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta, while Matteo Ferrari will probably replace Mexes in defence.

Apart from the much talked about 3-0 defeat in the Rome derby, the Giallorossi have been on fine form. In fact if it were not for that one spot on their record they would be going for their 11th consecutive victory against Messina. As it is they won all three matches after the derby comfortably, scoring eight goals with just one in reply. With seven points to catch on Inter they are unlikely to take their foot of the gas in this fixture.

Man on fire: Amantino Mancini (Roma) – The silky winger was fundamental in Roma’s bounce back from the derby defeat, scoring four goals in the last three games before Christmas and dazzling the opposition defences.

Last season: Messina 0-2 Roma

Form guide: Messina (L L L D L) Roma (W L W W W)


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Messina (probable): Storari; Rea, Zanchi, Iuliano, Parisi; Lavecchia, Pestrin, De Vezze, Masiello; Floccari, Rigano

Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Ferrari, Chivu, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Taddei, Perrotta, Mancini; Totti

well bussines resumes for us at the capital come this sunday.

we ended the 06 wth a win wch is important, and lets hope we can start 07' wth the same swing.giallorossi's all over the world will be hoping to see our new signings in action and im fancing new boy tavano to be in the score sheet

well messina wont be easy but im predicting a 3-1 win for us giallorossi!!!!

[D-Kin]

Well keep an eye on Rigano, he should make his return for Messina at the weekend. If you can stop him then you should win this comfortably.

[Forza_Roma]

Finally Serie A resumes...this should be a sure victory for us. Hope with the long layoff, our boys can get their legs going and dominate. Let's hope that Tavano fits in well and can get some playing time to adjust to our system. Shouldn't take him long, he just needs to play regularly.

[D-Kin]

I expect Tavano to play some part in the game, most likely off the bench.

[bludhaven]

And Wilhemsson? He should be coming on as well...
My concern from Messina is Parisi...who showed a good game against Inter last year.

[D-Kin]

Parisi is definitely a threat, he's got a mean shot on him.

[bludhaven]

Here is the list of the Roma players going to Messina:

From Benvenuto nel sito ufficiale dell'ASROMA CALCIO

BERTAGNOLI J.Sergio
CASSETTI Marco
CHIVU Cristian
CURCI Gianluca
DE ROSSI Daniele
FATY Ricardo
FERRARI Matteo
MANCINI Alessandro
MARANGON Alexander
OKAKA C. Stefano
PANUCCI Christian
PERROTTA Simone
PIZARRO David
ROSI Aleandro
TADDEI Rodrigo
TONETTO Max
TOTTI Francesco
VIRGA Valerio
WILHELMSSON Christian

Missing:

Mexes
Aquilani
Tavano

[D-Kin]

Hmmm......I wonder why Tavano hasn't been included?

[D-Kin]

Spalletti has said that Tavano is not yet accustomed to Roma's training regime and it is causing strain to his thigh muscles.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Roma.....Goal from Mancini.....Totti to Mancini......and yes, Totti celebrated with Mancini with a nice hug

[Oliver_Kahn]

Great assist by Totti and Mancini with a nice finishing.

[Forza_Roma]

Roma were very scrappy the first 15-20 minutes. Messina were all over them as Roma couldn't make a proper pass. But then started to bring the flow back to their game. I suspect Messina will start bringing men forward and thus will create more room for Mancini and Totti.

[dukeofdavinci]

1-1 FT!!!

great...just what we need.now it will be next to impossible to chase inter.what a crappy time for chivu to make mistake n lead to a goal....mamn im gutted.

[Forza_Roma]

Well Ferrari made one or two mistakes that could of lead to a penalty. Then there was the "hand ball" from Mancini. Then the final mistake by Chivu. The ref had no choice. But, if the linesman would of called the two kicks on Pizzaro earlier on, maybe this wouldn't of happened. Either way, terrible mistake by Chivu, he did well to close the space and not give the Messina player a chance to score as we had Ferrari trailing as well. He should of just followed the player and at worst, Messina gain a corner. Very upset over this. Now we are 9 points behind. Can't believe it. But we can't give up yet. Inter play Fiorentina next week and there are still plenty of games remaining. There is still Int v Mil...Roma v Int. So the points are still available. Let's not give up!

Also, Wilhelmsson played fairly well in his 15 minutes. Was generally in position and when he wasn't in position, he did well to recover. He's a good acquisition for the wing. Also, had a nice chance to score.

[bludhaven]

Damn...why why why?

Oh well...thats how life goes

We deservrd it though...i was very dissapointed with our first Serie a game of 2007

Thumbs up to Pizarroo, Tonetto and Mancini

Wilhemsson also played well for his debut with 2 shots on goal

Well Chivu just couldnt let the ball go...oh well things can only improve...Spaletti will go apeshit