CL MD2: A.S Roma - Bordeaux [01-10-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti to turn to Totti? Monday 29 September, 2008

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Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti is hoping to welcome back Francesco Totti and Julio Baptista for Wednesday's trip to Bordeaux.

The Giallorossi may have regained their League form with a win over Atalanta yesterday, but they have it all to do in Europe.

After a humiliating opening defeat against Romanian champions CFR Cluj, Roma must win in Bordeaux to strengthen their position.

Spalletti's early season has been hampered by injuries to key men, most notably Totti, who has hardly been able to contribute.

The inspirational captain has been used as a substitute against Inter in the Super Cup, Cluj and Reggina but missed out on facing Atalanta.

However, there are indications that Er Pupone will be making the trip to France and he could play an important role.

Another piece of welcome news is that Brazilian striker Julio Baptista is recovering ahead of schedule.

The ex-Real Madrid man is yet to settle in a Roma shirt, but he will be eager to make his mark at the Stade Chaban Delmas.

The only two certain absentees are Selecao stopper Juan and Chilean midfielder David Pizarro.

fingers crossed both julio and totti makes it for this game.we really need to win this game to ensure our survival in the group.

it will be tough game wth both teams looking to get their 1st win.no juan still, the defense needs to alert in france.

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti ruled out for Bordeaux Monday 29 September, 2008

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Roma will have to negotiate tomorrow's trip to Bordeaux without captain Francesco Totti.

The Giallorossi captain sustained a serious knee injury last April but seemed to have made a miraculous recovery in pre-season.

However, despite coming on as a substitute in the Italian Super Cup and against CFR Cluj and Reggina, Totti is far from fully fit.

Totti had hoped to return for tomorrow's crucial Champions League test against Ligue 1 side Bordeaux but he hasn't been named in Luciano Spalletti's squad.

The knee continues to trouble Er Pupone and the decision was made after he felt pain in training this morning.

Having lost their Champions League opener to Cluj, Roma must beat Bordeaux to get their European adventure back on track.

But Spalletti is also without David Pizarro, Marco Cassetti, Juan, Vincenzo Montella and Max Tonetto.

no totti confirmed.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti wants belief in Bordeaux Tuesday 30 September, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti insists Roma “can beat anyone” as long as they work as a team, starting from tomorrow against Bordeaux.

The Giallorossi have been under a great deal of pressure with dismal results this season, which culminated in a 2-1 home defeat to newcomers Cluj in the Champions League.

They are still without the injured Francesco Totti, Juan, David Pizarro and Marco Cassetti for the trip to France.

“We feel like a complete and united squad who can fight it out with anyone and get results even in difficult arenas like Bordeaux,” said Spalletti.

“Clearly one can lose some characteristics with injuries, but we still have the quality. Along the way we have lost a few important players, but replaced them adequately.”

Roma have stuttered throughout the campaign and although they beat Atalanta 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, it was far from a convincing performance.

If they want to stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification, they must quickly recover from that opening defeat to Cluj.

“Bordeaux have potential that should not be underestimated and we must do well to interpret the match,” added the Coach.

“We must be united as a squad and prove we are secure and have belief in our capabilities. I think I can say that I have seen some important progress recently.”

Bordeaux were battered 4-0 by Chelsea on Matchday 1 and are also looking to boost confidence.

“They have individual quality with Chamakh, Fernando Cavenaghi, who is great at finding himself in the right place at the right time, Bellion's counter-attacks and Yoann Gourcuff, who has found his home here.”

united we stand, divided we fall.

[sinoy1]

I believe we'll win.2-0 or 3-1.Menez and Aquilani to start.This 4-1-4-1 formation is working wonders.Mexes is back and is on form.Ill try to find a link for this match.Cant wait.Champions league starts today for us.Lets get off on a high note fellas .

[sinoy1]

We totally suck.De Rossi looks hurt.Vucinic is hobbling.Perrotta offers nothing and Riise....oh man...you fucking suck.Dont play.Taddie and Vucinic are being isolated.They are over running us and until we kick ourselves in the ass and wake the fuck up we are going to lose.Spaletti has alot of work to do.

Also Menez tries to do to much.Keep it simple.Aquilani is totally lazy today.I dont know whats up with him but he is being mobbed out there.

[sinoy1]

3-1!!! Baptista with 2 and Vucinic with 1...We soooo didnt deserve it and the subs worked well.

[dukeofdavinci]

3-1!!! Baptista with 2 and Vucinic with 1...We soooo didnt deserve it and the subs worked well.

for crying out loud sinoy!!!.have faith and for julio doubters there you go!!!

yeah before the half we seemed unsettled after their goal, and the only reason is not bcoz we suck but our players seems to be in shock and were still reeling after the md1 match where they got stunned and started loosing focus on the basis of that they might loose again.

but spalletti did the right thing by the half time mark, and imo he is the main men we should thank and what ever pep talk he gave it worked and got back to our usual self.we got 3 strikers on the field by the end of match and that proves that spalletti is releasing or forwards to make sure we win and it worked.imagine by the time il capitano is back we can rotate 4 of them.

menez was great but the defense were cutting him a lot, okaka needs more games as he squandered
an open chance.the lad really needs to up his game.his got potential but lacks the umphh now.the beast is finally showing what he is made of and he will get his groove back very soon in the league too.



if we can re-produce that in matches we are facing trouble im damn confident we can go on and catch back the points and qualification!!

the best come back in roma history!!

[dukeofdavinci]

fucking hell!!cluj got a point from their game!!

wow this grp is looking tougher by the hour!!

[sinoy1]

We really didnt.They killed us ripped us apart until 2 set pieces and a third out of the blue..Id rather scrape out a win like this like Inter or Juve then draw though

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti: It's all in the mind
Wednesday 1 October, 2008
Luciano Spalletti admits Mirko Vucinic's equaliser “totally transformed” a psychologically fragile Roma.

“When a team wins, it is the best medicine to recreate a bit of enthusiasm. We need enthusiasm and consequently I am convinced that when things start going right, we will get into our stride.”

They were trailing 1-0 in Bordeaux even after Carlos Henrique saw red for elbowing Simone Perrotta on 37 minutes, but after Vucinic's header it was a totally different match.

“We were static in the first half, but once we got the equaliser it all changed and I was glad to see that reaction.

“This is more important than just the three points. We don't have players who are battlers, as ours are more based on technique and quality. In general this sort of player needs the support of an atmosphere.

“Things were not going well for us recently and unless we can get that sense of calm, then we make a bad impression and can't do even the simplest things.

“Vucinic's goal totally changed the game. The lads felt they had a chance of making it and the enthusiasm welled up immediately.

“You could see psychologically they were transformed, felt free to pass the ball around and run into space. It was a decisive moment.”

Julio Baptista was the other hero, bagging a brace after he came off the bench, making his comeback from a thigh strain.

“Baptista arrived at the end of the transfer window, went off for international duty and then had an injury, so he still needs time to settle in to Roma's way of doing things,” added Spalletti.

“I like that he can play as a centre-forward or out wide, has power and quality. These goals will help him to make the breakthrough.”

Cluj, Coached by Italian Maurizio Trombetta, held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw and were frankly unfortunate not to notch up another shock victory after their 2-1 triumph at the Olimpico.

This means both those sides top the standings on four points, followed by Roma on three and Bordeaux are yet to get off the mark.

“This can be the game that gives us vitamins and fires us up again. However, I'd like to point out that Cluj held Chelsea and they are a real team in every sense. We now have to try to go and get a result in Romania.”

i agree wth the man, some how vucinic's goal got our team cracking adn the belief was back that we can break this team who was sitting back and wall themselves.