Il Danielista 17

By: Michele | April 6th, 2009

Roma 2 – Bologna 1

There is a reason that the fiercely loyal, powerful, commanding, spirited beast that is Daniele is known as Capitano Futuro and not Il Capitano. That reason is Francesco Totti.

I know this is a DDR blog but it would be very difficult for me to mention the Bologna game without commenting on the world class performance provided by the one and only Pupone di Roma.
Totti returned to the line up and 3 points came to Roma. Spalletti was not wrong to say that Roma can win without Totti and that the future of the team should not be built around a 32 year old but christ does he provide a boon for this team.

The match itself was nothing special.
Roma looked uninspired for much of the game which is odd considering the 5 point gap between them and 4th placed genoa but that’s Roma… Bologna, with all respect to the club that was once Captained by Baggio, played like a team threatened with relegation. Not to say ASR were in sole control of the game as Panucci, Doni and Pizarro all conspired to drift off a couple of times during the game gifting Bologna and Serie A’s top goal scorer Di Vaio a couple of chances.
A win is a win though and I am very happy Roma got past stumbling block no.1.
The goals were both Totti penalties. The first was nearly blocked and the second was a missile into the top of the net. So despite the criticism and the voices saying Il Capitano was over (for the 3rd time…) Totti took Roma on his back and carried them to victory. ‘Er Pupone’ even chased down a couple of balls in midfield – he’s not at his best but hopefully his goals and performance will give him confidence and speed up his recovery.

DDR – 6
Although Daniele was at his defensive best – very few of the balls Piza lost found a way through Daniele – his passes were awful. He lobbed far too many balls over the top of the Bologna defence for no one in particular. Daniele seemed to have decided to cope with Mirko’s absence by simply pretending the Montenegrin was there.

goal.com-
De Rossi- 6.5: The midfield general was always positioned perfectly and showed his range of passing ability throughout the match.

Quite possibly the worst goal comment I’ve ever seen.

romanews.eu
De Rossi: 6
Si posiziona davanti alla difesa e sbroglia un paio di situazioni pericolose. Il doppio impegno della nazionale pesa sulle sue gambe: meno lucido del solito in fase di impostazione, decisivo come sempre in quella di copertura.

Positions himself in front of the defence and pulls Roma out of a couple of dangerous situations. The two international fixtures weighed on his shoulders: not as bright as usual going forwards but decisive as always in defense.

La Gazzetta
Daniele-5
Did not look like himself. It happens.

Team Ratings –
(per La Gazzetta)

MOTM – TOTTI – 7
Calmly knocks two in from the spot and played with real vigor – he wanted to be there. Always.
What can you say about this man? He may not run like he used to but he still strikes fear into the best of them. Stepped up to the spot when called upon and did what he had to. Took the kicks and the knocks and kept getting up. The exception to ‘form is temporary and class is eternal’. Both are eternel for Er Pupone. Grande Capitano.
Daniele guarda come si fa.

Doni – 6
Saved by Tonnetto and the post. Good save against Volpi.
Looked asleep and got shouted at by Spal. Maybe the City bid is distracting him.

Tonnetto – 6.5
Wins a penalty and saves Roma from conceding.
I am not a fan but he worked hard and won the first penalty. Doesn’t have the skill to play for Roma.

Riise – 6
Comes on for Perrotta and gives Tonnetto a rest.
Came on and did what he had to.

Mexes – 6
Throws himself in front of Di Vaio’s ‘palla gol’.
Must be Serie A’s most promiscuous defender having been paired with Panucci, Juan, Loria, Diamounte and Riise… and this could well be the reason he always looks nervy. That aside he did what he had to today and provided some vital interceptions when they were needed. This being Roma they were needed in the last 10 minutes when the team’s collective coke condom burst.

Panucci – 5.5
Slow, missed a lot even a goal.
Ever reliable, at least on the pitch, did what he had to albeit slowly…

Motta – 5
Over excited. Due to international call up?
Cici must be yelling advice from the sidelines as he is great going forwards but sometimes forgets to come back. Forced to make several nasty challenges due to his positioning. Still managed to look good though.

DDR- Above.

Pizarro – 6
Not as inventive as usual but launches some good balls.
Played (and looked) like a cocky 14 year old; held on to the ball too long and just wouldn’t pass quickly enough. Just back from injury though. Won one ball back nicely, can’t think of anything else to say.

Brighi – 5.5
Wasn’t useful far wide on the right, much better in the second when he hit the post.
Ran a lot but didn’t achieve much – pulled a Perrotta.

Perrotta – 6.5
Lost Marazzina on the goal but marking him was not his job. Good return from injury, the most lively with regards to Totti.
Took it in turns with Brighi to burst forwards but was just as useless. Nearly got on the end of one ball – nearly.

Menez- 5.5
One nice slalom but not enough heart.
One nice solo which ended in a goal line clearance but not much else. Would you rather have Ben Arfa? I believe the question to be irrelevant as Roma probably can’t afford the swap.

Baptista-6.5
Wins a penalty – useful.
Came on, lost a couple of balls but added muscle to the front and won a penalty.
Status on quest to reclaim title of ‘Beast’ – Promoted from kitten to puppy.

Spalletti-
Piza needed to come off sooner.

Interviews-

Spal big ups Totti.
Totti big ups Totti…

Other news-
It’s the sheep f$@king, sister b@&ging poultry next so…

FORZA ROMA