[#16] Daniele De Rossi:

[D-Kin]

I always expect big things from him in regards to set pieces though because he's so good in the air. The goals he's scored this season have mainly been long range screamers, I'd like to see him in the box more getting his head on the end of things.

[Forza_Roma]

But those long range screamers are just beautiful goals...it's amazing how he get such a perfect blast with the ball always turning. Pure skill. I remember when i was a kid playing, i had a hard time learning the "banana kick"...i guess it had something to do with us only scoring ONE goal all season and that came on a Penalty in our final game....must of been because we had the Juve strips jk

[D-Kin]

Juve strips? You should have had a penalty every other game.

[bludhaven]

lol. We will be hoping Daniele can ofcourse score more...but i agree with Joel that during set pieces De Rossi should come upfront more...he has the opportunity...or he could do what Pirlo did in the WC against Ghana when he scored.

Hoping Daniele can add to his tally this term, without losing focus on becoming too oppressive

[D-Kin]

I think playing alongside Pizarro this season rather than Dacourt/Tommasi has changed his mentality slightly. Right now he's the number one DM whereas before maybe he wasn't.

[bludhaven]

excellently said...couldnt have said it better myself.
De Rossi seems to have flourished showing real talent this season especially in this role of a DM

[Forza_Roma]

His tackling skills are great. He has been more careful with his tackles since his WC episode. I think the WC settled him down. He is making smart, timely tackles now and keeping his frustration down...maturing quite nicely.

[D-Kin]

The good news for us is that he'll be in his prime for the next WC, I can't wait.

[Forza_Roma]

He will be the Pirlo of 2006...i just hope he plays in a more advanced role by 2010. I would like for De Rossi to take a few more free kicks with Roma. He has loads of potiental if Totti/Chivu give him a chance.

[D-Kin]

Well he certainly knows how to strike a ball, that's for sure. He's scored some real screamers this season for both Roma and Italy.

As for a more advanced role for the NT a lot depends on who else is in the team by then. Pirlo will still be the main figure so someone will need to protect him and with players like Montolivo and Dessena currently coming through the ranks De Rossi might have to settle for a more defensive role. That's fine though, one of things I love about him is that he has very few weaknesses.

[Forza_Roma]

Pirlo would be 32-33 by then no?

I love how De Rossi is so strong. Such a dominant force and difficult to get the ball off him. For a player who isn't the size of Viera and is fairly thin built, he is strong like a bull. You would never think he would be so strong! Looks can be very deceiving.

[D-Kin]

Pirlo will have just turned 31 while De Rossi will be about to turn 27.

To be fair to De Rossi though he is 6 foot tall, he's a fairly big man. I don't think people realise how big he actually is so you're probably right when you say his size is deceptive.

By the way I did some research and he actually weights just as much as Vieira. I guess it isn't that surprising though as De Rossi is quite well built.

[bludhaven]

oh welll...the Euro coming up may give us a sample of what to expect...but that may be a bit too soon. DE Rossi will become a large influential figure for Italy in years to come.

By the next WC lets hope he doesnt make silly mistakes again

[D-Kin]

In a way it's good that it happened, it's all part of his development and learning.

[bludhaven]

im not saying it was bad it happened, just to learn and avoid it again...so to avoid dubious punishments that are so innappropriate:
Red card = OK I agree
4 match ban = wtf for?