Serie A: Roma - Udinese [02-12-07]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 14 - 2/12/07 (14.00 UK)
Roma-Udinese

Stadio Olimpico

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Roma are still on the title trail and they will be looking to reassert themselves by seeing off a precocious Udinese side at the Stadio Olimpico.

Luciano Spalletti’s men got back on track with a tense win over Genoa last weekend and put the disappointing draw with Empoli behind them. The Giallorossi are just three points back from leaders Inter and have fought their injury problems admirably to remain in the hunt.

There will be a special significance for Spalletti as he was in charge of Udinese in 2001 and between 2002 and 2005. The Tuscan Coach led the Zebrette to a fourth-placed finish in 2004-05 and will be keen to show his former employers just how far he has come. If Roma are to remain bona fide challengers at the top they cannot afford to be usurped by Udinese.

These are exciting times in sleepy Udine. Pasquale Marino seems to have rejuvenated the Bianconeri and they are unbeaten in eight. President Giampaolo Pozzi claims that survival is still the season’s objective, but the Friulani are starting to believe they could achieve so much more.

Udinese come into this game as underdogs, but they were at the Stadio Artemio Franchi when they ended Fiorentina’s vast unbeaten run. Marino’s heroes have won for of their last five and have proven to be good travellers, having conceded just five times away from home all season. This is a tough test, but it is by no means impossible.

Roma have won the last three meetings between the two sides, but Udinese upset them at the Stadio Olimpico as recently as September 2005.

Francesco Totti is still out with an ankle injury. Brazilian winger Rodrigo Taddei is still in doubt for the hosts and Alberto Aquilani is yet to recover from his own ankle injury. Defender Matteo Ferrari is suspended and Marco Andreolli, like Simone Perrotta, is injured, while Cicinho looks likely to be left on the bench with Juan and Christian Panucci prepared to start.

Marino continues to make do with a second-string defence, Brazilian stopper Dias Felipe is suspended and reported Juventus target Cristian Zapata is a doubt, so ex-Roma youngster Damiano Ferronetti is ready to step in. Midfielder Giandomenico Mesto is the other injured party.

Keep an eye on: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) – The dangerous hitman has called for Roma to sign him and will see this as the ideal chance to send an unequivocal message.

Last season: Roma 3-1 Udinese

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

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

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

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

This should be a good game, both teams are playing well at the moment.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Why does it say alberto has an ankle injury???

[sinoy1]

I think he injured himself during training.He should have been back by now.

I would ike to see Cicinho play as RB and leave Cassetti as LB with Max on LW.

De Rossi should play but subbed for Barusso.Matteo Brighi might be injured still though.

Anybody else notice how ravaged we are.We're realling starting to look extremely thin.I understand that Totti himself was a massive blow but Alberto Perrotta Taddie ( although he's just coming back ) Mancini picked up a knock before Kiev I think.De Rossi now is an injury scare.

When shit hits the fan...it hits damn hard for us.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Ya everyone is injured t the same time.

Alberto should be back by now, hes been out at least 5 weeks..taddei im not to worried about, hes a bench player in my eyes. Brighi im not totally concerened about and

YES i think cicinho is an amazing player and he deserves to be playing

[sinoy1]

I think we really need Taddie.He's always been clutch and he knows how to track back and help His wingback and De Rossi/Pizarro.

Perrotta has been a huge disappointment IMO this season.He's lost the hustle factor which made him so great.Rumour has it that we're after Julio Baptista...strong power forward and isnt afraid to tackle.Although I wouldnt really want him.

Mexes should also be back which might push Panucci to Right back again.

Slowly but surely we'll start getting our first choices back.Never the less Forza Roma.

[sinoy1]

Totti called up for the match.

[LaVecchiaSignora]

bout time!

[D-Kin]

Roma squad: Antunes, Barusso, Brighi, Cassetti, Curci, Cicinho, De Rossi, Doni, Esposito, Giuly, Juan, Mancini, Mexes, Panucci, Pit, Pizarro, Taddei, Tonetto, Totti, Vucinic, Zotti.

[D-Kin]

Spalletti: Totti is raring to go Sunday 2 December, 2007

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Luciano Spalletti explains why he thinks Francesco Totti is ready for his comeback against Udinese this afternoon.

“If Totti is in the squad then it is because the latest test results were positive,” assured the Roma Coach.

The captain has been out of action since badly bruising the top of his foot and ankle in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon on October 23.

However, this week the medical staff helped create a specially constructed football boot to lessen the impact of movement on the injured area.

“After the training session the situation did not deteriorate and I saw him motivated and hungry, even if we still need to evaluate his overall condition,” continued Spalletti.

Amantino Mancini should also be back in the starting XI after he was surprisingly dropped for the midweek 4-1 win away to Dynamo Kiev. This prompted reports the Brazilian was set to join rivals Inter in January.

“I hope he listens more to me than he does to you journalists, because he only missed one game and that can happen. As far as I am concerned, nobody is taking Mancini as long as I am at Roma.”

This is going to be a special match for Spalletti, who had some of the best years of his coaching career at Udinese.

“This is a team that knows how to play good football and has a city that allows it to help youngsters mature.

“Fabio Quagliarella has returned to his role as a centre-forward, as he is a complete player, while Antonio Di Natale has exceptional talent and is deservedly a first choice for the Italy side.

“Victory would be very important for Roma, as it would allow us to leapfrog Udinese in the standings.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Marino takes aim at Roma Sunday 2 December, 2007

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Udinese Coach Pasquale Marino hopes to take another top class scalp in a head-to-head with Roma at the Olimpico.

The Friulani have made a name for themselves as giant-killers this term, grabbing results against Inter, Juventus, Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina.

“We will not step on to the field looking for a draw. A positive result is always good, especially in such a difficult arena, but Udinese’s mentality is to always aim for the whole prize.”

Gyan Asamoah and Andrea Dossena are injury doubts for the encounter, but Giandomenico Mesto is available again.

“The objective is not to leave too much space, to stay compact and not allow Roma any counters. It will be a similar game to the one we played in Florence.”

Udinese won that fixture 2-1 at the Stadio Franchi and are currently pushing for a place in the Champions League.

“At this stage of the season our position in the table is entirely relative,” assured Marino.

“It is pleasing to be so high up the standings, but personally I don’t pay too much attention to statistics. The past is behind us, we have to look forward, one game at a time.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

1-0 Roma, Juan scored.
Looked close to offside.

Shit!
1-1, Quagliarella scored

[D-Kin]

Taddei makes it 2-1 to Roma.

[D-Kin]

A deflected shot by the sound of things.

[D-Kin]

HT 2-1 to Roma.