Seria A' MD37: A.S Roma - Atalanta [11-05-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 37 - 11/5/08 (14.00 UK)

Roma - Atalanta
Stadio Olimpico

Roma have to win if they are to have any chance of wresting the Scudetto from Inter while Atalanta – who have nothing to play for – do not intend to roll over.

The Giallorossi put in a ruthless performance at Marassi on Sunday, dispatching a valiant Sampdoria side 3-0. Roma could only manage four shots on goal, but that was enough, demoralising Walter Mazzarri’s team who were a persistent threat down the flanks.

Goals from Christian Panucci, Claudio Pizarro and a more advanced Cicinho helped Roma to their highest ever points total of 78, eclipsing that achieved by the 2001 championship-winning side. La Magica have, since losing talisman Francesco Totti to a knee injury, scored seven goals in their last two games – 15 different players have been on the scoresheet for Roma this season.

Coach Luciano Spalletti is pragmatic about Roma’s chances of catching Inter who are still three points in front of the Giallorossi despite losing to rivals Milan at the weekend. The Nerazzurri will retain the Serie A title if they beat a Siena side filled with former Roma players next Sunday. “We need to be realistic. The Nerazzurri have all the right cards to win the Scudetto,” insisted Spalletti. “Siena has its own strengths and can be calm given they have beaten Juventus.”

Atalanta are unbeaten in the last two fixtures after losing three games in a row albeit against Inter, Napoli and Juventus. The Orobici are safe on 45 points, but too far from a European place and could – if they want – go on holiday.

Credit to Gigi Del Neri’s boys, they have shown no sign of letting up, holding off a late comeback from Livorno to win 3-2. Atalanta had been 2-0 up only for the Tuscans to cancel out the deficit. Instead of settling for a draw the Bergamaschi pushed on and scored a delicious winner through Simone Padoin two minutes from time.

Del Neri will want to impress against his former employers. The 57-year-old tactician coached Roma in 2004 and was sacked after a string of disappointing results. Atalanta were defeated 2-1 by the Lupi at the Atleti Azzurri Stadium in January. This fixture has a habit of finishing that way – six of the last seven meetings between the two clubs have ended 2-1, three in favour of the Bergamaschi.

Keep an eye on: Cristiano Doni (Atalanta) – The 35-year-old trequartista leads from the front. He scored the opener on Sunday against Livorno to become Atalanta’s all time top scorer, a remarkable feat for a midfielder. The former Mallorca man, who has enjoyed two spells at Atalanta, overtook Adriano Bassetto’s record of 56 goals set over 50 years ago in 1957, etching his name into the Nerazzurri’s history books.

Last season: Roma 2-1 Atalanta

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

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

Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Talamonti, Manfredini, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, Guarente, Padoin; Doni; Floccari

Ref: To follow...

2nd last game of the season.wth 2nd spot secured, better safe the lads for a tough final in coppa against inter.

[Forza_Roma]

Roma win 2-1...one behind Inter heading into the final match day. Don't give up boys...anything can happen as we saw today in the Inter game.

[dukeofdavinci]

oh fucking shit!!!!!!!!!!! another final day drama.man i wonder if can take it???????

i just barely got off from one and now another.well wont hurt to hope since we certainly are not the ones to loose everything.

on to the final march roman gladiators!!!!!!!!!!

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti: We're the best
Sunday 11 May, 2008

Luciano Spalletti insists Roma deserve to fight for the title until the end. “We were comfortably the best team in the second half of the season.”

The Scudetto race has been declared over at least a dozen times this season, but with one round left there is only one point in it.

“We deserved this opportunity to fight it out until the end. I say this based on everything we have done in this championship. Now we just have to carry on this way.”

The 2-1 win over Atalanta, combined with Inter’s 2-2 draw with Siena, closed the gap further and sends it all down to the wire.

On the one hand Roma are celebrating an improbable comeback and a club record 81 points, but on the other they have regrets over missed opportunities against Siena and Livorno.

“The injuries or negative moments you can run into during a campaign can happen to anyone. Yet in the second half of the season we were comfortably the best team with the best results.

“It is well known that in football there are dangers hidden where you don’t expect them. It has been a long and tiring season.”

It will all be decided next Sunday, when Roma and Inter travel to Catania and Parma respectively.

The Giallorossi need to get a better result than their rivals, as if the two teams finish level on top of the table then Inter will win due to their stronger head-to-head record.

hmm im not sure if to be happy or to be mad , i guess mad is the right feeling.

why some might ask, well its because we trowhn away the scudetto when we right now should have been way drunk in wth champagne, beer and all kinda off stuff coz it just take only one of our bad games that we played like shit to get us the scudetto.

well i guess fate does give you kicks in the shin from time to time.

[Forza_Roma]

Roma can only go to Catania and hope for a win...they do nmot control their own destiny and have to hope for either a draw or an Inter loss to claim the title. Going to be a very stressfully 2 hours next week...It call comes down to how bad Parma want Serie A survival.

[dukeofdavinci]

Roma can only go to Catania and hope for a win...they do nmot control their own destiny and have to hope for either a draw or an Inter loss to claim the title. Going to be a very stressfully 2 hours next week...It call comes down to how bad Parma want Serie A survival.

well i say still inter has the easier game, why bcoz we get the bogey team.i.e the lower end club whom we always lend a very very genorous hand in giving them points.

[Forza_Roma]

Catania is in a better position then Parma. Regardless of what happens in the Roma match, all Catania need is for Inter to beat Parma or draw...and Catania are safe. But, both teams will look to win...Parma will fight for their life against Inter.

[dukeofdavinci]

Catania is in a better position then Parma. Regardless of what happens in the Roma match, all Catania need is for Inter to beat Parma or draw...and Catania are safe. But, both teams will look to win...Parma will fight for their life against Inter.

how good it will do parma if rossi was still there to help them avoid the drop just like last season

[Forza_Roma]

Parma have Lucarelli, Budan, Reginaldo, Dessena...some decent players...hopefully Lucarelli can bang a goal or two in.

[dukeofdavinci]

Parma have Lucarelli, Budan, Reginaldo, Dessena...some decent players...hopefully Lucarelli can bang a goal or two in.

decent but still pretty much shit trough out the season.they really need some reorganizing to be done.

[sinoy1]

What a goal by De Rossi.Simply beautiful.

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by dukeofdavinci

decent but still pretty much shit trough out the season.they really need some reorganizing to be done.

Speaking of Lucarelli....I wouldn't mind him as a third choice striker at Roma.