Serie A' MD7: A.S Roma - Inter [19-10-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 7 - 19/10/08 (19.30 UK)
Roma - Inter

Stadio Olimpico

Roma have faced Inter 14 times since Luciano Spalletti became Coach of the Giallorossi in 2005. His five victories against the Nerazzurri rank among the best in his career and Roma’s history, coming as they did in two Coppa Italia Finals and three memorable Serie A fixtures.

The Tuscan tactician could no doubt do with a sixth career win at Inter’s expense given the insipid and downright disappointing start to the season made by his Roma charges. The Giallorossi have already lost three times in 2008-09, which is particularly disturbing when you consider they were only beaten on four occasions last year.

What is more worrying is Roma’s lack of potency up front. The Giallorossi failed to score for the first time in 17 matches at Siena on October 10 and it’s not as if they can rely on their defenders to steady the ship either. Philippe Mexes and Christian Panucci were sent off in Tuscany and will miss the game with Inter, piling yet more pressure on Spalletti. Juan and Simone Loria will take their places.

The greatest interest, however, regards Francesco Totti’s fitness. Roma’s talisman is still feeling the effects of an operation he had on his ankle and it’s unclear whether he’ll play anything more than a bit part in Sunday’s proceedings.

Inter, meanwhile, are coming along nicely, although, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s wonder goal against Bologna belied yet another laborious display under Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese understands, though, that by beating Roma this weekend Inter can all but put to bed one of their main title rivals.

The former Chelsea Coach claimed his first silverware as Inter boss by edging out the Giallorossi in the Italian Super Cup earlier this year. His Nerazzurri side couldn’t beat Roma in 90 minutes, though, and needed penalties to secure the trophy. Nevertheless, taking Roma’s injuries and suspensions into account, it’s hard for Nerazzurri fans not to be bullish about their team’s chances in the capital.

Keep an eye on: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter) – The Nerazzurri have come in for a lot of stick for their laboured playing style, but everyone wants to watch them because of the sheer brilliance of Ibrahimovic. While it would be an exaggeration to say that he carries Inter, one cannot underestimate his importance to the champions. Without him they are mortal.

Last season: Roma 1-4 Inter

Form guide: Roma (L W L W L) Inter (W W W L W)

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Roma (probable): Doni; Cicinho, Juan, Loria, Riise; De Rossi, Pizarro; Taddei, Aquilani, Perrotta; Vucinic

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Burdisso, Zanetti; Mancini, Muntari, Cambiasso, Quaresma; Ibrahimovic, Adriano

Ref: To follow…

1st of the top 4/5???..well any way this is do or die imo.

first off if we win this, somehow we will be doing our cl bid for next season a huge favor.from here on then we can gradually focus on broader things.

it starts now and here wth this game.play like we never played before and forget about every thing and focus to get that 3pts.

a string of injuries/suspensions linger on but now is the time for our fringe players to lay down their mark and prove me wrong and say they have evry right to be a giallorrossi

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti to take on Inter Friday 17 October, 2008

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Francesco Totti is back in full training and expected to make his comeback after a month out against Inter.

“I hope to be there with Inter,” the captain told a group of school children during a charity event.


The Roma legend has not set foot on the field since the match with Reggina on September 21 is racing against time to be ready for Sunday night’s showdown.


There were fears he would not make it when he had to abandon training and placed an ice-pack on his knee during the week, but the latest reports are far more encouraging.


Totti trained with the entire squad this afternoon and appeared to be in good shape, although if he does feature against Inter then it can only be for roughly 30 minutes.


The captain certainly has a point to prove, as the last time he faced Inter was in the Italian Super Cup clash at San Siro in August.


That tie ended 2-2 and Totti would have won the penalty shoot-out for the trophy, but he missed and the Nerazzurri came back to lift the silverware.


It is more good news for Luciano Spalletti, as Juan, Max Tonetto and David Pizarro are all back in full training.


Marco Cassetti is still sidelined with a thigh strain, while the big losses are in defence, as Christian Panucci and Philippe Mexes are suspended.

very encouraging news.i doubt totti will play the full but having him fit is ade bonus.same goes to the other injury worries wch have recovered.

[dukeofdavinci]

Totti in Giallorossi squad
Saturday 18 October, 2008
Francesco Totti is officially in the Roma squad to face Inter on Sunday night along with David Pizarro and Max Tonetto.

The captain has not played since September 21 against Reggina, as he suffered a recurrence of pain in the knee that underwent ligament surgery in April.

There were doubts on whether Totti could even be on the bench, but he is in the side and it remains to be seen if he can start or come on as a substitute.

Coach Luciano Spalletti also has Pizarro and Tonetto back in action, but Julio Baptista and Marco Cassetti are injured.

Christian Panucci and Philippe Mexes miss out on the big match due to suspension, having been sent off in the 1-0 defeat at Siena.

Roma squad: Aquilani, Artur, Brighi, Cicinho, De Rossi, Doni, Filipe, Juan, Julio Sergio, Loria, Menez, Montella, Okaka, Perrotta, Pizarro, Riise, Taddei, Tonetto, Totti, Virga, Vucinic

confirmed totti in the squad.i hope all this focus on him will have no negative effects.

[sinoy1]

he can play 30 min but still has pain to his knee....is he dumb to play?Honestly its 1 game.As Mourinho said its the long term you've got to think of and stay consistent.Forget this "grudge" match and just think about getting your health back to 100% not this oh i can play for 30 min let me play coach crap....really poor.

Im not expecting anything.If it ends up less then 4-1 like last year and Mancini doesnt do shit aside from getting slid beaten and bruised by de rossi then Im happy.

[dukeofdavinci]

Im not expecting anything.If it ends up less then 4-1 like last year and Mancini doesnt do shit aside from getting slid beaten and bruised by de rossi then Im happy.

juan is back but i hope our grandapa loria can keep up or else anything can happen.

as for totti they say he is back weill say how fit he is then.ive been saying this since the time he got injured that he will need longer to fully since its a given human nature the older you get the slower the body repairs its self.

imo we should adopt what fergie did wth ole and gary at united.both of them given the time and were tested at the reserves games before given first team action.

tho this shows a thing that i dont like ppl associating it wth us, that is very totti dependent.wch we are not we can do it wth out him but having him is a blessing too.he is roman and a team player thats the main thing.

[sinoy1]

I dont agree mate.I think we're very Totti dependant.for the past 10 years now.There is no alternative.What sets us apart from the middle tabled clubs is Totti.Without him in the long term we're extremely ordinary.He's just got to get his head out of his ass and stop thinking short term...its really frustrating sometimes.If it means he comes back in January at 100% then Im fine with that but a 50% totti now I would not take....

Ah well.As always Forza Roma.

[sinoy1]

this is such bullshit.The refs are totally ruining this match for me.Dive after dive.Wrong calls after wrong calls.The amount of 50 50 challengers we've won is called for inter while they hack our players and its waved on.bullshit.

Totti is starting.And my god did we miss him.De Rossi looks so tired.while Vucinic is tired and sloppy from internationals along with his injuries.We're dying out there.

[sinoy1]

my god.Vucinic booked because the inter player dived and he was yelling at the ref....bullshit.

[sinoy1]

Offisde goal for us.Rightfully called.Was the other rightfully called?We dont know due to the angle and due to Cicinho not being on camera but at least that side of the ref is competent.Beauty pass by Totti for Perrotta's cheeky chip.Too bad its offside.

[sinoy1]

This is garbage officiating.Clear trip on Aquialni no call Inter ball...Inter clearly lost the ball out of bounds no call still inter ball....disgusting.

[sinoy1]

Totti giving 100000% We keep barely missing.

[sinoy1]

1-0.We're slowly awakening but Inter still have a deadly counter.De Rossi looks very very tired along with Vucinic.Aquilani is being over run a bit but he's still imposing himself.I wish Brighi was playing instead of Perrotta that way Aquilani can have the ball in the final 3rd cause Perrotta sucks giant monkey balls.

Looking forward to the second half.Hopefully the refs will be impartial.....LOL yeah right.

[dukeofdavinci]

3-0 and ive just turned off the tele cant bare to watch the disgrace.

injuries, suspension, referring blunders, internationals, lack of depth, complacency, low confidence, lack of discipline and many more all jumbled up in one shot in one glass given to us at the same time.

now its crisis, now will be just damage limitation for us as the scudetto is out of the window, cl maybe too so uefa cup then.

i guess this is what our players returning the fiath when ppl label them starts of a high flying roman last season.time to get back to that roman side wch was fighting to be the best and forget the roman wch finished 2nd for 2 seasons all together.

[Buddha14]

Yeah its kinda 4-0 now

[sinoy1]

4-0.We've collapsed due to crappy backline and inability to finish again.Inter were just too powerful in the second half.