CL: Sporting Lisbon - A.S Roma [07-11-07]

[D-Kin]

Mirko's magic moment Tuesday 23 October, 2007

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Mirko Vucinic has thanked Roma legend Bruno Conti after breaking his drought in sensational fashion.

“It was a very important goal for me and the team,” said the striker after his splendid solo effort to see off Sporting Lisbon 2-1.

Vucinic was initially on the bench, but had to be thrown on as the only available attacking option when Francesco Totti limped off with an ankle injury.

He was booked for his goal celebrations, as he tore off his shirt, ran to salute the Giallorossi supporters and embraced Roma director Conti.

“I hugged Conti because he told me I was going to score today and so at half-time I promised him a special celebration if it came true.”

It was a particularly special moment for Vucinic, whose Roma career has been dominated by injuries and this was his first goal all season.

“My position is just to be on the field, I don’t care whether it’s on the left, right or centre. The important thing is to play – it’s what everyone wants,” continued Vucinic on Sky Italia television.

It was a definite improvement from Saturday’s epic 4-4 draw with Napoli, although there were more defensive concerns on Sporting’s temporary equaliser.

“I think the difference was in our mentality. I believe we went into the Napoli game thinking about the Champions League to a degree and that cost us.”

The result puts Roma in an excellent position to qualify, as Manchester United are dominating the group with a 4-2 victory at Dynamo Kiev and nine points.

The Giallorossi follow on six, leaving behind Sporting Lisbon with three points and Kiev are yet to get off the mark.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Spalletti: It's all about enthusiasm Tuesday 23 October, 2007

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Luciano Spalletti admits Amantino Mancini and Roma depend on confidence and gives an injury update on Francesco Totti.

The Giallorossi seemed to be floundering after Totti went off injured and Mancini had a penalty saved, but they got back on track to beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1.

“There are moments like that in a match. We were not afraid at all. Perhaps a little insecure, but determined and with real quality,” said the Coach.

“Unfortunately, with a side with our characteristics if we are not supported by a wave of enthusiasm, things become more difficult.

“I was confident we could turn the game around, as in fact we did, as we just needed a little bit more time. We had unlucky moments, as Totti was injured on a free kick in our favour, Sporting scored with their first real attempt and the penalty save hit the post.”

Roma’s lead lasted just three minutes after Juan’s goal and a late solo effort from Mirko Vucinic secured victory.

“I thought the squad was compact right from the start. As our choice we allowed Sporting a little more of the initiative, as after some games in which we conceded a few too many goals, we tried to rein in our attacking approach a little.

“We didn’t rediscover Vucinic, he’s always been here!” continued Spalletti.

“I didn’t give him much space because we had a certain balance that did not need to be shifted, but once you give players a little more confidence it can make the difference. He showed today what we already knew, that he is an excellent forward.

“In the second half we pushed up more and it was thanks to the way the whole side was reading the game, not just because Vucinic came on.”

Due to injuries, Spalletti experimented with Marco Cassetti on the right side of a supporting attack trident, but in the second half he switched him to the left with Max Tonetto pushing up.

“When the match started to flatten down and we needed to shake things up, I decided to make this change. Last season Cassetti played this role very well and so did Tonetto, so I was glad to see they had not forgotten. It would have been wrong to maintain that system when we were at a numerical disadvantage in some areas of the field.”

Roma risked falling apart straight after the restart when Vucinic earned a penalty and Mancini saw his spot-kick saved. He was clearly upset and struggled to get back on track.

“Mancini was tense and I preferred to leave him further upfront as a striker so he could run into space when Sporting were unbalanced. I didn’t feel it right to force him to come back and defend at that point,” explained the tactician.

“It is a positive and deserved victory for us. Clearly Mancini lives off the enthusiasm of the squad, as is often the case with players who are very creative, but they too are inevitably the first to be affected when things aren’t going well.”

With Totti off the field, there was some debate over who would take the spot-kick and Spalletti confirms he was not involved.

“One does not force a player to take a penalty. These are delicate matters and they can talk to each other at that moment to decide among themselves who feels ready to take it. Daniele De Rossi and David Pizarro are also penalty takers and I think Mancini was a little unlucky, poor thing.

“We thank the Curva Sud for sticking by us and they contributed to this victory by making themselves heard.”

It was a bitter blow when Totti limped off with an ankle injury and it is not yet known how bad the damage is to his right ankle.

“We’ll have to wait and see tomorrow what the tests say after a few hours. His ankle and foot have been bandaged, but thankfully it is not the one that underwent surgery.”

This was a crucial Champions League tie, as with Manchester United running away with the group on nine points, Roma are three clear in second place on six. The trip to Lisbon on November 7 will also be decisive.

“Sporting are forced to get a result and we were forced to win this one. They are a technical team who play at a high tempo, so we had to be careful tonight. We know this double confrontation is the decisive one for qualifying and we go to Portugal with confidence.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

De Rossi explains penalty debate Wednesday 24 October, 2007

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Daniele De Rossi has revealed how he discussed whether Amantino Mancini should take the spot-kick against Sporting Lisbon.

“We were both on the ball and wanted to take it. Mancini is a very good penalty taker with an excellent record,” explained the Roma midfielder.

“We spoke to each other and decided he should go. He was unlucky, as it was a decent effort.”

As Francesco Totti had gone off with an ankle injury, the Giallorossi were without their regular penalty specialist.

Coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed that De Rossi, Mancini and David Pizarro were to discuss between themselves who should take the kick.

Mancini won the exchange of ideas, but Tiago saved it and turned the ball on to the upright, but Roma later went on to win 2-1.

“This match and the one against Napoli were completely different circumstances. We went so close to winning that one too, but this Champions League tie was much more important, as it puts us within touching distance of qualification,” continued De Rossi.

“I am also particularly happy to prove once again that Roma are a real squad. We have often won 4-1 or 5-1, earning headlines and praise for the quality of our football. Yet the moment we draw a game people say we’re lazy and superficial.

“We play at a consistently high tempo and we often do feel it in the second half. It is something we maybe need to work on.”

The capital club had to deal with several injury problems for this game, as Simone Perrotta, Rodrigo Taddei, Mauro Esposito and Alberto Aquilani were sidelined.

“I spoke to Alberto and he says he’s working well, so I hope he can be back for the second leg with Sporting Lisbon on November 7. This is a team that needs all its components and Aquilani had a great start to the season.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

TalkSoccer Media Player

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Great pictures and vid rep to joel

[dukeofdavinci]

Pizarro: We can qualify Tuesday 6 November, 2007

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Roma face Sporting Lisbon tomorrow without Francesco Totti, but David Pizarro believes they can still claim a vital win.

The Giallorossi are determined to make up for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Empoli with a vintage performance in Portugal.

Despite the absence of Totti with an ankle injury, Chilean star Pizarro seemed upbeat as he left from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport this morning.

“We are going to Lisbon in the right spirit,” he insisted. “We are coming off a bad result in the League, but this is the Champions League.”

Roma know that a win in the Portuguese capital would nearly guarantee qualification for the knockout stage.

“It will be a real cauldron and we are ready for that. We are calm and we know that we have to put in a great performance – it’s a straight battle for the next round,” Pizarro continued.

“The loss of Totti is weighing heavily upon the squad, but we can still create lots of chances.”

Roma (squad): Antunes, Barusso, Bertagnoli, Brighi, Cassetti, Curci, Cicinho, De Rossi, Esposito, Ferrari, Giuly, Juan, Mancini, Marangon, Mexes, Perrotta, Pit, Pizarro, Tonetto, Vucinic

a key match for our cl hopes.a must win at all cost.wth the win we can be rest easy for the remaining 2 group matches and focus our serie a' campaign wch is going left and right instead of up.

no il capitano but we still have the quality to win if our players dont repeat the errors and play as a team then a single player.

[dukeofdavinci]

Italian duo seek vital wins Wednesday 7 November, 2007

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Max Tonetto and Ludovic Giuly are fighting for a place in Roma’s side to face Sporting Lisbon tonight, while Maxwell is set to step in for Inter.

Francesco Totti, Christian Panucci, Rodrigo Taddei and Alberto Aquilani are all sidelined for Roma as they go in search of a crucial win in Lisbon.

The Giallorossi know that three points would almost guarantee qualification, but face a stiff test without Er Pupone.

Mirko Vucinic is set to start as a lone striker and Tonetto and Giuly are both vying for the left-wing spot.

Meanwhile, Inter face CSKA Moscow without Luis Figo who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a broken fibula.

A win would leave the Italian champions in a very strong position in Group G and on the verge of qualification in Fenerbahce defeat PSV.

Patrick Vieira, Dejan Stankovic and Francesco Toldo are injured and Adriano and Cesar Aparecido aren’t in the Champions League squad.

Luis Jimenez returns to action, but is likely to start on the bench alongside four youth players.

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Samuel, Chivu; Zanetti, Dacourt, Cambiasso, Maxwell; Ibrahimovic, Crespo

Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Mexes, Juan, Cassetti; De Rossi, Pizarro, Mancini, Perrotta, Tonetto; Vucinic

some minor news on players.

[jec1]

1-1 in the 60m

Roma getting outplayed by sporting but still hanging on. Mancini has been your best player, vucinic is trying to create some offence but it's tough.

[jec1]

*Cough*

Bad call by the ref, Velosos didn't even touch the guy and he fell like a dead bird.

FK for roma....over the bar.

[jec1]

2-1 Sporting

Goal by liedson with a nice header!

Roma need to play better defensively, the man was unmarked.

[jec1]

2-1 Sporting - 80th

Roma look cautious....No subs yet, what is spalletti thinking?

[jec1]

Nice play by mancini, explosive speed but had to dive in the end.

[jec1]

2-2 Goal Pizarro!

Took a deflection off a sporting player from a FK!