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

[sinoy1]

Good teams somehow manage to salvage points.Im just glad that we FINALLY showed a little grit and determination.Its about time luck changed for us.

Next up Cagliari...we must play for 90 minutes otherwise we'll suffer the same fate.

What a goal by Cassetti by the way.Awesome shot.He's been amazing this season.

[jec1]

Yeah man, cassetti's goal was a scorcher....no chance for the keeper!

[D-Kin]

Champions League, Gp F Matchday 4 - 7/11/07 (19.45)
Sporting 2 - 2 Roma
Cassetti 4 (R), Liedson 22, 64 (S), Pizarro 89 (R)
Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon

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Marco Cassetti's thunderbolt and a lucky last-gasp David Pizarro strike gave Roma a 2-2 draw with Sporting that puts them on track for qualification.

The Giallorossi were without Alberto Aquilani, Christian Panucci, Rodrigo Taddei and Francesco Totti, the captain still out due to an ankle injury he sustained in the first leg of this clash, which Roma won 2-1 at the Olimpico. Marco Cassetti was given a more advanced role in a solid midfield with David Pizarro also pushing up to support Mirko Vucinic. However, Luciano Spalletti had to change his mind as Max Tonetto picked up an injury in the warm-up, making way for Ludovic Giuly.

These two sides were going head-to-head for the second qualifying spot behind Manchester United and a victory here would send Spalletti's men six points clear of third place. A defeat would pull the Portuguese level with the Italians.

Roma opened the scoring with a truly spectacular individual effort from Marco Cassetti. He exchanged passes with Amantino Mancini on the edge of the area, ran towards the D to find space and unleashed a fierce right-foot strike that curled into the top corner.

There was a real scare on 13 minutes, though, as Doni was surprised by a long-range Abel effort and when Liedson pounced on the rebound, the linesman disallowed the goal as he had kicked it out of the goalkeeper's hands.

Sporting increased the pressure and a corner looped into the air for Anderson Polga's splendid right-foot volley inches over the bar.

It paid off when Liedson managed to draw Lisbon level. It was a defensive error as Philippe Mexes came sliding in to anticipate Liedson, but instead clattered into his own goalkeeper and left an open goal for the Brazilian to waltz into.

Yannick Djalo looped a good headed opportunity over the bar and Doni was secure on Miguel Veloso's attempt as Roma were pinned back into their own half. Polga again fired off target, but Simone Perrotta broke the siege with a right-foot drive that skimmed the frame of the goal.

Doni comfortably held Marat Izmailov's effort and Joao Moutinho failed to make the most of a Cassetti defensive error.

Roma could have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time, as Amantino Mancini went on a splendid solo run only for David Pizarro to horribly scuff the finish from the edge of the box. Liedson struck the side-netting and Moutinho also skimmed the target.

Mexes was substituted by Matteo Ferrari at half-time, perhaps because the Frenchman got a knock during that clash with Doni. Moutinho picked up where he left off, by firing over the bar, and Veloso was off target after shaking off Perrotta.

Mancini's inspired backheel sent Daniele De Rossi clear to drill wide with his right foot, then the home-grown midfielder also blasted a free kick high.

Sporting had the better of the overall play and deservedly took the lead on 64 minutes. Liedson completed his brace as he got a diving header to the end of Izmailov's cross from a corner kick, but once again Roma's defence was at fault and left the scorer unmarked from six yards.

De Rossi nodded over and the Giallorossi tried to get back into it, but Mancini skipped past his marker only to drill an angled drive past the far post. Cicinho blasted a piledriver over from long range and Mancini had penalty appeals waved away, as he let himself fall too easily.

The game seemed to be stretching towards the final whistle, but Roma snatched an unexpected and fortunate equaliser in the final minute. A free kick was rolled across to Pizarro for a fierce strike that took two deflections on its way past a helpless Tiago.

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Sporting Lisbon: Tiago; Abel, Tonel, Polga, Ronny; Izmailov (Pereirinha 89), Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho; Romagnoli; Yannick Djalo (Vuckevic 63), Liedson

Roma: Doni; Cicinho, Mexes (Ferrari 46), Juan, Cassetti; De Rossi, Pizarro; Giuly (Brighi 90), Perrotta (Esposito 80), Mancini; Vucinic

Ref: De Bleeckere (Bel)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Spalletti tells off clumsy Roma Wednesday 7 November, 2007

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Luciano Spalletti admits Roma were fortunate to grab a 2-2 draw at Sporting Lisbon after their “typical” errors.

Marco Cassetti’s screamer had given the Giallorossi an early lead, but two defensive howlers granted Liedson a brace and in the final minute David Pizarro’s deflected strike sealed the result.

“After the goal the team seemed to remain in the match and with an attacking approach looking for the second,” assured the Coach.

“Sometimes we do get a bit soft on the ball and lose possession in foolish fashion. I hope that is not part of the character of the squad, as that would certainly be damaging for the future of this team.

“It is in our characteristics to make a few silly mistakes each time and Sporting are very good from the midfield up, sometimes pinning us into our own area, but we had not come here looking for a draw.”

Coming off the back of a disappointing 2-2 Serie A draw away to Empoli where they had been leading 2-0, this Lisbon trip raised more questions over Roma’s character.

“Considering the dangers of this match, we played well. After taking the lead we had several chances to double our advantage, were unable to do so and made a few silly mistakes we always tend to do. Sporting made the most of them, but they didn’t really dominate us for long periods at all.

“The team continued to believe in the result and pushed forward with real determination. Granted, we had some luck at the end, but it was the right prize for Roma’s attitude.”

Spalletti was forced into a tactical switch at the last minute, as Max Tonetto picked up an injury during the warm-up.

“After the Empoli game we had a dozen scoring opportunities, yet we were told by the media that the team had a negative approach and sat back,” scolded the Coach.

“Considering the situation tonight, we could not really have done any more. On some nights you have to take what you can get and accept that.”

The last-gasp equaliser means Roma are in pole position to qualify behind Manchester United, who are on a 100 per cent record after four games.

The Giallorossi are on seven, three points clear of Sporting. Dynamo Kiev are now out of the running, having lost all four rounds.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

we needed a deflection to save our asses.and plus we made it tough on ourself now but all is not lost and after the 2nd goal we closed down quite well and didnt get in to deep trouble.

Luciano Spalletti admits Roma were fortunate to grab a 2-2 draw at Sporting Lisbon after their “typical” errors.


“Sometimes we do get a bit soft on the ball and lose possession in foolish fashion. I hope that is not part of the character of the squad, as that would certainly be damaging for the future of this team.

even spalleti is pissed wth our lackluster performence of late.well even my bro was loading it off to me f the errors we made.and now im 1 side deaf from all the cuss, piss swearing he gave in the phone...

all in all we need to get the spirit back up, we need to be the roma early season and ditch this one out.hoping for a more clinical and error free in the coming games.come on lads we can do it!!.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Again though, we are playing with only 3/4 of our starting roster...That makes any win kind of difficult. I think given the circumstances roma did OK...and just OK. Could we have done better? SURE! But i think that we are in pretty good shape still...Hopefully everyone will get back soon and we can be off and winning again like we were in the begining of the season.

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

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