Serie A' MD5: A.S Roma - Atalanta [28-09-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 5 - 28/9/08 (14.00 UK)
Roma - Atalanta

Stadio Olimpico

Roma are in crisis as they host an Atalanta side who have made a superb start to the season in a fascinating Stadio Olimpico encounter.

The Giallorossi started their campaign poorly with a draw against 10-man Napoli and a defeat in Palermo but seemed to have turned things around when they hammered Reggina. However, a 3-1 reverse at Genoa has left the Lupi reeling and languishing in unfamiliar territory in the table.

Luciano Spalletti was livid at the refereeing at Marassi in midweek but he will be well aware that the buck stops with him. Without inspirational captain Francesco Totti, the capital club have looked short on confidence and now they will have to make do without the suspended Daniele De Rossi as well. While this kind of win was routine last term, it is far from guaranteed this time around.

In stark contrast to Roma, Atalanta have exceeded expectations so far. The Orobici were unlikely early leaders and managed to bounce back from a cruel Week 3 defeat against Catania by seeing off whipping boys Cagliari.

Coach Luigi Del Neri, who masterminded Chievo's miraculous success at the turn of the century, has an aptitude for giant killing and will see Roma as a scalp ready for harvesting. This could be the perfect time to visit the Eternal City for a side bubbling over with confidence.

Roma beat Atalanta 2-1 in this fixture last year. Interestingly, seven of the last eight meetings have ended 2-1 in favour of one of the sides.

In addition to Totti and De Rossi, the hosts will be without Juan, David Pizarro, Julio Baptista and Marco Cassetti. However, French international defender Philippe Mexes is likely to return after injury problems.

Atalanta make the trip south lacking former Roma hitman Alessio Cerci, veteran ex-Inter man Christian Vieri and young talent Giacomo Bonaventura.

Keep an eye on: Sergio Floccari (Atalanta) - Last season's goal provider scored his first of the season to beat Cagliari and may have found his shooting boots.

Last season: Roma 2-1 Atalanta

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

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Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Mexes, Panucci, Riise; Aquilani, Taddei, Brighi, Perrotta, Menez; Vucinic

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

Ref: To follow…

were getting flanked left right and all possible directions.and damn we should.

some say its history repeating it self whr roma are labeled a 3 season team,we are good for that period and then its the slumps.

yes we are down at the moment but i refuse to accept that label as i still believe spalletti and our team can push for honors.we had shaky start but its time forget the damn thing and focus the coming match only.

lets take 1 step at a time, 1 game at a time.

forza roma!!!

[sinoy1]

Atalanta is high flying.We need Mexes and Juan back desperately.Loria sucks and Panucci gets beat too easily.Once we sort out our defence everything will slowly fall into place I believe.

[dukeofdavinci]

No Atalanta for Totti Saturday 27 September, 2008

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Francesco Totti is out of Roma's game with Atalanta along with several other top stars and the suspended Daniele De Rossi.

The Giallorossi need a win to emerge from their crisis, but face this encounter without many of their top players.

Totti was hoping to celebrate his 32nd birthday with a goal, but will have to watch from the stands as he has still not fully recovered from his knee injury.

Roma are also without David Pizarro, Marco Cassetti, Juan, Julio Baptista, Max Tonetto and the suspended Daniele De Rossi.

Coach Luciano Spalletti has therefore called up 17-year-old youth team defender Riccardo Brosco.

Roma squad: Aquilani, Artur, Brighi, Cicinho, Doni, Filipe, Loria, Menez, Montella, Okaka, Panucci, Perrotta, Riise, Taddei, Brosco, Virga, Vucinic

thats 1 whole team missing out there.if our fringe players still has anything left in them to be justified them being in our time, now is the time to prove it to spalletti and put on a winning chance.

or else we are better off showing them the door and start finding proper backups.

[dukeofdavinci]

2-0 up!!come on lads lets go for the kill!!

[sinoy1]

Mexes was great.Menez just keeps producing....the guy needs to smile sometimes though Aquilani was the best player again for us and is leading the team.Vucinic was frustrated all day but took his chances for once.

Also the linesmen suck ass.Okaka was onside 2 times but was wrongfully called back.Oh well a wins a win.....I just hope we havent used all our luck for this week

[dukeofdavinci]

menez was great mate.he was just the kind of creativity we were lacking and now when we got him our forwards go injured and defense gets thinner.

so we get 1 positive at a hard but little to capatalize.

but any who we got the goals and the points we needed.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti seeks stability
Sunday 28 September, 2008
Luciano Spalletti feels a confidence boost from today's win, but Atalanta boss Gigi Del Neri blamed an ‘own goal.’

Roma had just four points from as many games going into this weekend, but the 2-0 victory over Atalanta boosts their position and confidence.

“We have to take every moment and weave it into place to create a sense of stability,” said Spalletti.

“That way we can lay the foundations to make the team feel more secure and express themselves better, although they were almost perfect today.

“After this result we can go to Bordeaux in the Champions League with more confidence.”

There had been reports this week that Spalletti was in crisis talks with the club.

“We always got on well and any decision is made between the technical staff and the directors.”

Atalanta tactician Del Neri was disappointed with the defeat at the Olimpico, which came from a deflected Christian Panucci effort and Mirko Vucinic turn.

“We conceded that ‘own goal’ to break the deadlock and Roma built their victory on that incident,” said the former Giallorossi Coach.

“We made mistakes in moving the ball around too slowly today and Roma did well to take advantage of the counter-attack.

“We still need to improve and accept defeats that are part of the sport. Our objective this season is to play to the best of our abilities so we can secure safety as soon as possible and bring fresh new talents on to the scene.”

match comment from the bosses.