Serie A' MD8: Udinese - A.S Roma [14-01-09]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 8 - 26/10/08 (14.00 UK)
Udinese - Roma

Stadio Friuli

These two teams couldn’t have had more different starts to the season. While the Udinese fans will be in good spirits at the Stadio Friuli with their side in second place, Roma are struggling in the bottom half of the table.

The Bianconeri are full of confidence and flying high at the moment. Their 2-2 draw at Lecce last week saw them surrender top spot to Inter, but they are still just two points from leading Serie A at this early stage.

Pasquale Marino’s side are looking particularly potent in attack, summed up by the fact that all three of their first-choice strike force were called up to Marcello Lippi’s latest Italy squad. The Friuli outfit’s defence will need to be wary of a Giallorossi backlash, but they have momentum on their side.

Marino has a couple of injuries, but neither will worry him too much. Reserve goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi is out along with midfielder Fernando Tissone, but given the form of Slovenian No 1 Samir Handanovic and Chilean youngster Mauricio Isla those absences shouldn’t be a problem. Elsewhere Antonio Di Natale should return to the starting XI after being rested in recent weeks, while Christian Obodo could appear as a substitute after making his comeback from his lengthy injury problems last week.

Roma are starting to recover from the injury problems that have compounded their poor start to the season. Julio Baptista and Marco Cassetti are the only injured absentees following captain Francesco Totti’s return, although Philippe Mexes will also be missing. The French defender still has two games to run on the three-match ban he received for insulting the referee after his red card against Siena.

Things just keep going from bad to worse for Luciano Spalletti and his Roma team. Their awful start to their campaign had already raised a few eyebrows, but last week’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Inter, at the Stadio Olimpico no less, has sent the fans into fits of anger. However, away from that pressure they might have more luck at kick-starting their season, but they are running out of time, as they are already a massive nine points behind League leaders Inter.

Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – The Italian international was recently handed the freedom of the city of Udine such is his impact and he will be full of energy after being rested at Lecce.

Last season: Udinese 1-3 Roma

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

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Udinese (probable): Handanovic; Ferronetti, Coda, Domizzi, Lukovic; Inler, D’Agostino, Isla; Pepe, Quagliarella, Di Natale

Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Panucci, Juan, Riise; De Rossi, Pizarro; Taddei, Perrotta, Vucinic; Totti

Ref: To follow…

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im practically out of words for this game..dont know how we will respond, how we will play more importantly who will play.i only know this i want 3 pts....

[sinoy1]

Must win match and when its a must win we step it up.I feel we can win.

[sinoy1]

4-4-2 with De Rossi and Vucinic rested please.

------------------Doni-----------
Cici--------Juan----Panucci---Tonetto
Taddie--Perrotta-----Brighi---Menez
------------Totti---------Okaka

Please stop a 4-2-3-1....Please.

[dukeofdavinci]

i doubt okaka will play but i do hope spalletti shows more faith on menez.start playing him in we need every player we can get fit on the park and not just intro him in the dieing minutes.

its either a lone striker or 2, since the beast is still out of action...

[dukeofdavinci]

2-0.....is relegation looming for us......

[dukeofdavinci]

3-1.....some how i think this might be the end of the road for our league campaign, spalletti and among other things.......

[dukeofdavinci]

Sensi demands Roma respect Sunday 26 October, 2008

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Roma President Rosella Sensi has ordered the entire squad into a pre-match 'ritiro' to prepare for Wednesday's crunch tie with Sampdoria.

The Giallorossi's fifth Serie A defeat in eight games left them just one point clear of the relegation zone.

“The team will go into a ritiro today to prove its love for the Roma jersey and respect towards our fans,” slammed Sensi.

The 3-1 loss to Udinese was a controversial one with several odd refereeing decisions, but the Roma defence was exposed by Antonio Di Natale and Antonio Floro Flores.

“We have no alibi, but certain huge errors are damaging Roma and especially lacking in respect for our fans.

“I am sorry to say this, as it is not in my nature, but the penalty awarded to Udinese and the booking given to Mirko Vucinic for simulation left me stunned by the lack of professionalism on show.

“All this reminds me of moments when my father found himself in the same situation.”

Franco Sensi was one of the most vocal against Luciano Moggi for several years before the Calciopoli scandal broke.

i dont what we are hoping for when u get old players this is what you get.

just too a contrast il post this news also:

Reja: This is the future Sunday 26 October, 2008

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Edy Reja feels Napoli and Udinese are the future of modern football – young players who always go on the attack.

“These two clubs see the future differently compared to the other clubs,” said the San Paolo boss.


“We both work without big star names and the philosophy is always to attack and take the game to our opponents.


“We spread the play with fast wingers and are similar in approach, albeit different in tactical scenarios.”


Udinese and Napoli are top of the table alongside Inter after this weekend’s victories over Roma and Lazio respectively.


“We are still at the start of the season, but I asked my players for a show of maturity today. The first 20 minutes were hellish but, as they dropped the tempo, we came out and had the chance to score more goals.”


The Stadio Olimpico match was decided by a Sebastiano Siviglia own goal, as Ezequiel Lavezzi’s cross ricocheted off his chest in to the net.


“The lads proved they have the character to manage a top level campaign, although I don’t know where we will end up,” continued Reja.


“We have always been a quality side, even when losing against Genoa. I don’t think we need reinforcements, as we are covered in every role.


“Up until now we have done well against the ‘big’ clubs, let’s see how we fare against the smaller sides. If we do better than last season, then the outlook is rosy.”

and where we are at????no where....we are the next milan in terms of ailing ship just waiting to sink, the only difference is they got more "branded" material and might held them longer compared to our cheap old and unreliable "brand"

[dukeofdavinci]

Roma-Samp date set Friday 31 October, 2008

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Roma and Sampdoria will resume their suspended Serie A match on Wednesday 14 January, 2009, it has been confirmed.

Wednesday’s midweek clash at the Stadio Olimpico was rained off after a violent storm hit the Italian capital.

A January date was expected to be announced and that has turned out to be the case. The game will resume at 0-0 with five minutes and 51 seconds already on the clock.

date set and lets prey by that time we are alredy in a good position challenging the last spot for cl.