Il Danieleista 6.0

By: Michele | November 28th, 2008

So I can confirm:
They are back
The new system is proving a sucess, Er Pupone is back and Matteo Brighi has cemented his place in the starting 11. There is however something worrying me about Roma’s recent performances.
Daniele.
He is just not looking as good as he did last season.
Why is this?

a. DDR is tierd.
After having to man up and single handedly try and drag Roma up DDR is exhausted.
With Totti absent and Aqui being made of fine china, Capiano Futuro was pretty much leading
the troops alone (yes Panucci too and he did a great job but he’s not Roman and that makes
a difference).

b. DDR is drugged.
Daniele fell and sprained his wrist. He now wears a cast which must be very uncomfortable to
play in. In order to remedy this the Roma medical staff (who have so far managed to make sure at
least one player was injured per week) have pumped him full of painkillers and this has affected
Daniele’s game.

c. Brighi is making DDR look un-amazing (its a word)
Daniele’s decent from beastial to good has coincided with Brighi’s rise from bench scorcher to game
winner. Is DDR still just as good but Matteo that much better?

The answer is a mix of the three.
So no worries soon Daniele will be back to his usual level of perfection.

Still the fact remains a tierd, drugged up DDR playing alongside Super Brighi still looks good.
Kind of like a pregnant Jessica Alba standing next to Jessica Biel if you will.

On to the ratings.

DDR 6
I’ve already gone over most of the reasons for this relatively low rating but lets recap:
Not playing at his full potential, eclipsed by Brighi and not going forwards as much as he could.
On the other hand DDR is an essential part of this team. Juan made a few mistakes today (at least during the first 45) and DDR is the reason Roma can afford defensive lapses. The space just infront of the defense is his and anyone who dares enter his territory is a target. Well the ball at their feet is anyway because unlike the previous model (Rino G) DDR does not foul. He goes in hard but fair.
No highlights stand out in my mind but a solid game from a rock hard player.

Less Reputable Ratings

goal.com

De Rossi – 6.0: De Rossi is not on top form this season. He is still far too passive in games, and is not the player of last term who used to take games by the scruff of the neck.

La Gazzetta

DDR – 7
Never caught out, impressive work rate. Acts as a damn and in moments of madness brings order and serenity to the team. Tries to get forwards in the second half.

romanews.eu

De Rossi: 6
Non è raggiante come nelle uscite precedenti, complice il clima. La sostanza che mette davanti alla difesa è però fondamentale per smorzare le sfuriate dei rumeni.

Basicly not the player he used to be, maybe because of the weather…
Remains an essential player due to the defensive cover he provides.

The Rest of the Team

MOTM – Brighi – 8

In this Italy full of players who never lived up to their potential his story is a a anthem for hope.
Roma first sent him to Chievo for 3 years before deciding to keep him but without expecting much.
Brighi marched on and joined the front with the mind set of a simple soldier. The wind turned a month and a half ago when he became a starter in Spallletti’s team. His two goals last night – he managed this just once before in Rimini – , his first in Europe, are the most memorable events to emerge from last night’s game. The full package, Brighi deserves a place in Lippi’s national side.

I am currently torn between a Perrotta and a Brighi shirt.
I have spent the past year being told I play like Perrotta (which I have decided is a compliment not that I sky sitters) and I like the guy. He is hard working and loyal to the cause (and I already have DDR and Totti).

Yet in the space of a couple of games I have fallen for Brighi.
Hardworking, modest and not bitter despite the fact it took him 4 years to earn any recognition.
I might just have to get a Brighi shirt.
Going to be real hard to find though…

Doni – 6
In the first few minutes he was attacked from all sides. Held up strong and made a great save. Not at fault on the goal.

Don’t want to jinx this but is Doni looking solid?

Cassetti – 6
Dubarbier makes him dance the marzuka. Not helped by Taddei but he gives it his all. Doesn’t do much going forwards. Has an easy second half.

RB is our weak spot. Marco is hard working (quite a few of them on this team) and honest but lacks the qualities to start in a team like Roma.

Mexes – 7
Roma’s defensive light house guardian (I am also confused). A text book tackle on Dubarbier, a constant presance in the first half. His holiday with the French national team calmed him.

Balls, Juan clearly mixes Philou’s pre-match energy drink.

Juan – 6
Suffers due to Koné’s physical style and the frozen pitch. Frozzen in the first half he makes several mistakes. Plays better in the second.

Ice and Brasilians don’t mix. I thought he was good though.

Tonetto – 6
Short sleeves and no vest, Tonetto is used to the cold as he lived in Trieste, the temperature in Cluj proves to be a walk in the park for him. This doesn’t mean he had a great night.
Numerous mistakes.

So at RB we got Cici, Marco and CP and at left back we got Tonetto and JAR.
What happens if one of the old ones breaks a hip?
Cassetti and Riise flanking the defence for a season?

Taddei – 6
For the first half he is a martyr especially with regards to his tacking.
Finds more space in the second. Just has to get used to his role.

Nothing to add.

DDR – Above

Perrotta – 6.5
Made the first goal. Only he could have thrown himself on the ball before unleashing the cross that resulted in Brighi’s goal. A breakthrough he owns the copywright to.

They are clearly big Simone fans at La Gazzetta.
Wouldn’t think they were writing about Perrotta but he did have a good game and provided a valuable assist.

Baptista – 6.5
In the first half he tried to overpower the Cluj defence but could not break through. Better in the second half. Good understanding with Totti.

The Beast and Totti working well together!
Brain and brawn combined!

I am still unsold on Baptista, he seems to compensate for every glimpse of brilliance with some truly horrendous first touches.

Totti – 7
His freekick is a diamond. However it was only the beggining; he invents an assist and was pivotal in the build up to the third goal. All of this on a pitch more adapted to ice skating.

Beautiful from Il Capitano.
Wish he would leave the free kicks to someone else though especially in freezing conditions…

Vucinic – 6
Nearly scores twice in his 10 minutes. Let’s the world know he is also ‘on the ball’ at this point in time.
A real resource for Roma.

Supposedly suffering from a fever before the game. Certainly looked hot on the ball.

…

I apologise.

Interviews:

Brighi is happy and doesn’t believe he scored twice.
Me neither.

Spal states the obvious.

Other:

Nocerino’s idols are Gatusso and Daniele.

Totti will consider taking the team out for dinner again.
Even though some of them eat a lot.

Forza Roma