Il Neo-Danielista

By: Michele | October 4th, 2009

Roma 2 – Napoli 1

The Francesco show

So it took awhile but I’m back.
Before talking about the napoli game I would like to mention the appointment of Ranieri and the departure of Spal.
First off; grazie Luciano.
You brought beautiful football to the eternal city, nearly won us a Scudetto, revived ‘Er Pupone’ and allowed us to bask in your class. I wish you luck wherever you go, you will be missed.
Secondly, Ranieri was my first choice to replace Spal.

-He is Roman.
-He is cheap.
-He is temporary.

And he is what ASR need at this point in time; someone to get them playing simple, boring yet effective football. No more 4 – 0 to inter or 3 – 0 to Sienna, with Ranieri we will, eventually, play a solid 4-4-2 which will see less champagne than Stella but which will get the job done. Ranieri, it has already been pointed out is not a winner, but this team is not looking to win. We need someone to pull them together and lead them to 3rd/ 4th. Ranieri is that man.

The Game

1st Half
The game started brightly with both Motta and Julio getting injured just before a fairly tame lavezzi effort did a world of good for the confidence of our 3rd choice goalie. So that means two subs used up before the first half is over. Daniele was almost invisible for this half but managed one good run which won the team a corner – which was quickly taken and quickly lost by the Pizza. Daniele also played ahead of Pizza, who was playing a Pirlo-type role, which resulted in David giving Napoli a handful of chances which they made nothing of.
Totti pulled back a goal after a ball took a deflection off him.
All in all a disappointing first half from both teams – Roma looked jumbled up front and lobont needs to be given a one way ticket back home.

2nd half
Faty on for Cerci. Words which would never have been written under Spaletti.
Which meant no more subs.
Faty proves Ranieri is no fool and goes on to have a great game. Napoli can no longer break on the left and Roma begin to grow until Totti scores a beauty and La Curva wakes up. He then leaves the pitch for treatment (his knee) and there are no more subs. Francesco takes another hit for the team.
At one point Cassetti makes a saving tackle and somewhere behind the stadium a pig takes flight. The gladiator gets up and rejoins the field. It feels like Le Cid being paraded dead on his horse to motivate the troops. De Rossi seems to wake up at this point and makes some good runs and tackles. Hell Cassetti goes on to marshal the ball off hamsik. The team playing for their captain.

In the final minutes Donadoni looked like he was about to cry and was Totti taking kicks up and down the field. The game came to a close with Napoli bringing attackers on and Roma gritting their teeth.

A decent performance from DDR; almost invisible in the first half but grew steadily in the second. Hopefully he will build on this. Let’s not forget he has played game in game out for Roma so far. Also his understanding with Faty

DDR Rating – 6.5

Goal –
De Rossi – 7.5: Real heart in the middle of the park, and outclassed both Gargano and Cigarini. Would die for his hometown club.

Sounds like his second half performance.

In other news Jesus will be back in 15/20 days so time for Dani to man up again.

Congrats to Totti for reaching Batigol!

FORZA ROMA