Serie A: Empoli - Roma [04-11-07]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 11 - 4/11/07 (14.00 UK)
Empoli - Roma
LIVE ON FIVE
Stadio Castellani

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

Luciano Spalletti returns to his old hunting ground hungry for points after Roma’s crucial derby victory, but Empoli are in a slump.

Spalletti started his coaching career at the Stadio Castellani in Serie C1 back in 1993-94, leading them to two promotions and an impressive top flight 12th-place finish when he left for bigger clubs in 1998. A native Tuscan, he will relish the atmosphere and try to give his squad that extra motivation, as they risk losing focus after back-to-back triumphs over Milan and Lazio.

Still without the injured Francesco Totti, Alberto Aquilani and Marco Andreolli, now Daniele De Rossi has joined the absentee list thanks to a ban. It allows Mirko Vucinic to retain his centre-forward spot, where he has scored three goals in as many games. Ludovic Giuly challenges Rodrigo Taddei for a role in the supporting trident, while Matteo Brighi is expected to step into De Rossi’s shoes. Cicinho and Christian Panucci do battle for the right-back role.

Empoli boss Gigi Cagni has even worse problems picking his line-up, as an injury crisis has struck the club. They welcome Roma without Antonio Busce, Guillermo Giacomazzi, Rej Volpato and goalkeeper Daniele Balli, the latter out for a couple of weeks with a thigh strain. Defenders Richard Vanigli – whose challenge famously fractured Totti’s ankle in February 2006 – Felice Piccolo and Francesco Pratali are also doubts with muscular twinges. The tactician must reshuffle his line-up and is expected to give Under-21 international talents Sebastian Giovinco, Claudio Marchisio and Lino Marzoratti rare starts, while 22-year-old goalkeeper Davide Bassi takes over between the sticks for his first Serie A game of the season.

It is not an ideal situation for Empoli, whose confidence was hit hard by a 3-0 drubbing at Juventus midweek. They had won the admiration of Italy after their shock victory at Milan, but that was followed by a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Atalanta and the Turin trouncing. An on-form Roma is not the opponent they will expect to turn the current tide, but Empoli have won this fixture with a 1-0 scoreline for the last two years running, so anything is possible.

Keep an eye on: Mirko Vucinic (Roma) – Finally given his chance to shine, the former Lecce striker is taking it with both hands. In the three official games he has replaced Totti, he has netted three decisive goals.

Last season: Empoli 1-0 Roma

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

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

Empoli (probable): Bassi; Raggi, Marzoratti, Adani, Tosto; Antonini, Marchisio, Moro; Giovinco; Vannucchi, Saudati

Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Mexes, Juan, Cassetti; Brighi, Pizarro; Mancini, Perrotta, Giuly; Vucinic

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

It looks like Mancini will captain Roma with Totti and Panucci injured and De Rossi suspended.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Roma play on FSC again...i think whoever makes the schedules for FSC is a roma fan, because we have gotten to see them Live alot this season, and alot of the other teams either arent broadcasted, or are replayed games...so pretty exciting if you ask me

[Forza_Roma]

I was thinking about that this morning as well. FSC loves Roma...i guess it's due to being the most exciting team in Serie A and having the best player in italy on our team doesn't hurt either.

[dukeofdavinci]

maybe its due to our 2nd place finish last season....since then we are getting noticed by more ppl plus our cl achievements also comes in to play.

well no de rossi, gonna be hard game lets hope the players who are in form can cont that run, mainly i hope they dont take it easy wth empoli after doing a good job wth the big teams

[D-Kin]

Spalletti respects Empoli Saturday 3 November, 2007

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

Luciano Spalletti believes Roma face a greater threat from Empoli than they do the Scudetto chasing clubs.

“I expect an extremely difficult game, the most difficult in a moment like this with so many matches close together,” explained the Giallorossi tactician.

Spalletti will be tempted to rest several players, as they are tired from the midweek 3-2 derby win and must prepare for next week’s Champions League trip to Sporting Lisbon.

“It is true that Empoli have lost their last two on the trot, but they won away to Milan before that and it took a penalty for Juventus to break the deadlock against them.”

Francesco Totti is still out and probably won’t be back until after the break for international duty in mid-November, but the captain caused controversy this week when he dubbed rivals Lazio a “little” club.

“I think what he meant was the fact you have to win consistently to become a big club,” noted Spalletti.

“The reaction to what he said was excessive, especially considering all the jokes that came out when we last lost the derby. Besides, there is no such thing as a small side anymore, as even Empoli can win at Milan.”

Rodrigo Taddei, Christian Panucci and the suspended Daniele De Rossi also miss out, so Amantino Mancini or Simone Perrotta will be given the captain’s armband at the Stadio Castellani.

“We must not let ourselves get swept up in the enthusiasm following the derby. Mancini is not a problem, but he does need to give a little more than he has done so far this season.”

Roma squad: Antunes, Barusso, Julio Sergio, Brighi, Cassetti, Curci, Cicinho, Doni, Esposito, Ferrari, Giuly, Juan, Mancini, Mexes, Perrotta, Pit, Pizarro, Tonetto, Vucinic.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Cagni has Vucinic phobia Sunday 4 November, 2007

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

Empoli boss Gigi Cagni fears Mirko Vucinic will continue his scoring streak at the Stadio Castellani.

“It will be an extremely tough match,” he said of today’s meeting with on-form Roma.

“We always play to win, so only those who are in the best shape will feature, as we will need to run for 90 minutes to beat a side like Roma. In my view they are the top team along with Inter.”

Francesco Totti, Rodrigo Taddei, Christian Panucci, Alberto Aquilani and the suspended Daniele De Rossi have not made the trip, but Cagni sees a different danger man.

“Roma have improved from last season, as they have more strength in depth. You just need to see Vucinic, who is a great player with extraordinary talent.

“Obviously I fear him in this match and hope my defenders can mark him in the most effective possible way.”

Vucinic has netted three goals in as many games since replacing Totti upfront, but Luciano Spalletti could be tempted to rest players ahead of their crucial Champions League trip to Sporting Lisbon.

“Perhaps because they have not yet got a complete squad, Roma tend to use up more of their energy in Europe than Inter. We hope that will be the case this afternoon.”

You can watch Empoli v Roma live on Five, coverage begins at 13.30.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Lets hope vucinic doesnt choke today when we need him most

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Mancini wearing the capitans armband

Doni, juan, cicinho, ferrari, cassetti, brighi, pizarro, perrotta, mancini, giuly, vucinic

[LaVecchiaSignora]

I think the statement about empoli bing a bigger threat then a scudetto chasing team is ridiculous, empoli only has 1 goal in the past 6 weeks...how are they a bigger threat???

[LaVecchiaSignora]

and we are underway at 9:03am EST

[LaVecchiaSignora]

A shot from mariani on a cross from about 20 yrds out went wide

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Roma dont have that...urgent drive that they usually have in the first 10 mins...maybe because we have so many regulars out

[LaVecchiaSignora]

mariani with a float corss in and its just out past the touch line goal kick roma

[LaVecchiaSignora]

mancini gets the ball in the box and pulls like 8 step pvers but gets hit out corner to roma