Juventus - AS Roma

LE tested Kjaer-DDR at the back today in training,looks like that's the way we will lineup in the central defence on Sunday.

Del Piero vs. Totti – one last battle


Juventus entertain Roma this weekend. Dave Taylor writes on the last possible meeting between Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti.







Back in the late 1990s, Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero were chatting after an exam at a remedial school for college drop outs. “How did it go?” Totti asked the Juventus ace. “Not so well, Francesco, I handed in a blank sheet,” said Del Piero. “You too?” replied the Roma captain. “Now they’re going to say I copied.”

That was a well known joke, but, in real life, it could be said that he and Del Piero have mirrored each other throughout their careers. One makes his debut, the other makes his debut, one becomes the Capocannoniere and so does the other, one scores 200 goals and the other scores, well, you know what I mean.

For instance in Week 32, four minutes after Del Piero scored a crucial second goal for Juve with one of his cracking free-kicks, down in Rome his friend scored the Giallorossi's second, typically by being in the right place at the right time. Just another example of the way the veterans' careers have seemingly corresponded since making their Serie A debuts in the same year, Francesco in March 1993, while Del Piero, six months later in September.

Del Piero currently stands on 207 goals in 509 League appearances [Serie A and B], while from 496 games played, Totti has scored 212 goals. Once again not dissimilar stats.

The pair of jokers meet up for what could be the last time this weekend as two of the world's most outstanding No 10s share the same pitch, and neither will want to miss the occasion. Certainly the riveting sub plot of the duel between the only two true flag bearers, of a generation brought up on fantasisti, has caught the public’s attention.

Coincidentally it was almost a year ago to the day that a similar situation arose, I even wrote a blog on it but they never met. Unfortunately Alessandro picked up an injury and only Totti played, as Juve ran out 2-0 winners.

This weekend neither is injured, but again whether Del Piero starts the game is debatable. One of the few differences between them, at least this season, has been that Francesco has started 21 games and scored five goals, while Del Piero has started just three matches, scoring twice.

But it's the similarities between them that stand out and none more emphatic than the examples they have set to youngsters with their passion, skill and above all singular devotion to the shirt, a loyalty far and beyond the normal call of duty.

Other affiliations include both winning World Cup medals, both wearing the Azzurri No 10 shirt, with Alessandro selflessly giving the celebrated jersey to Totti and switching to the No 7. Both have won League titles, both have won countless other trophies and personal awards and both are their respective clubs' record appearance holders and goalscorers. For anyone else to come close to these outstanding records will be like making melanzane alla parmigiana without cheese and a frying pan, impossible.

Sadly, for football fans there is one more important difference, the way Juve and Roma have treated their respective bandieri. Roma rewarded Totti with a long contract with improved wages. Yet Juventus treat their own devoted flag-bearer shabbily and in comparison to Roma's handling of Totti, downright disrespectfully.

Yet all these statistics, similarities and friendships will matter not one iota when the two meet for what should be a great game. Both will have one thought and one thought only in their respective minds, to win for the shirt.



:lol!:

LOL at that statement.

I feel confident for this game, dont know why. We will cause them damage!

Pjanic: "We want to be the first to beat Juventus

Totti to do this against Juve this weekend.





LMAO at that celebration.

Legend

Patrick Bateman wrote:Totti to do this against Juve this weekend.





LMAO at that celebration.

Legend

:lol!:

Damn you Napoli

Ahh no biggie we'll take them next week.



Udinese drew today against Chievo and they play Nazio at home next week.

Gabriel Omar Batistuta has issued statements of Juventus-Roma :

"The Juve is tough and very smooth, while the Roma can win 3-0 or 4-0 as it may lose. Has ups and downs that do not allow it important to fight for the Scudetto. "

Source: SkySport

Roma to hand Juventus their first league lost of the season

Sorano Totti wrote:Gabriel Omar Batistuta has issued statements of Juventus-Roma :

"The Juve is tough and very smooth, while the Roma can win 3-0 or 4-0 as it may lose. Has ups and downs that do not allow it important to fight for the Scudetto. "

Source: SkySport

Has Batigol been hitting the bottle ?

Mazzone reads Juve-Roma

By Football Italia staff






Carlo Mazzone looks forward to Juventus-Roma and believes Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is a better striker than Mirko Vucinic.

The two teams clash this evening in Turin and former Giallorossi tactician Mazzone spoke to Radio Manà Manà Sport.

“Juventus have something more than Roma in terms of physical strength and intensity, but the Giallorossi are superior on a technical level,” said the 75-year-old.

“I don’t think Roma will go there to take the initiative, as they have to be more defensive than usual and make the most of the quality of players like Francesco Totti and Osvaldo.

“I prefer Osvaldo to Vucinic, as he is proving that he is a genuine hitman.

“As fot the midfielders, I have to ask how could Milan allow Andrea Pirlo to leave on a free transfer? Such a strong and decisive player cannot be let go for nothing. That fired up his pride, which is why he’s having perhaps the best season of his career.

“Daniele De Rossi does well at centre-back, but he should always play in midfield.”

Mazzone finally gave his verdict on the two tacticians, Antonio Conte and Luis Enrique.

“I was fortunate enough to train Conte at Lecce. He is a lad with great temperament and has been able to transmit that winning character to the team.

“I like Luis Enrique, as he knows exactly what he wants to do, which is possession football based on attack. However, he and Roma have shown limitations when they don’t have the ball, as they concede far too much.”

cant wait fellas should be a good game

The_ItalianFool wrote:cant wait fellas should be a good game

Should be a cracker.

The game in Rome was brilliant so we should be in for another thriller here.

ROMA (4-3-1-2): Stekelenburg; Rosi, De Rossi, Kjaer, José Angel; Perrotta, Gago, Marquinho; Pjanic; Osvaldo, Borini

what a feil of a first XI.. perrotta.. please.. *bleep* off luis enrique..

No Lamela or Totti

But why? Is Totti fit?

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Quagliarella, Vucinic.

God help us

lol I can't wait to see Vucinic miss about 6 sitters. we got this

this will end 6-0 to juve...

*bleep* joke we are

goodnight guys!!

I hate playing these cheating bastards. How much money did they give the line officials. Ive seen 3-4 offsides go uncalled, now Stek gets a red. This is brutal

narbeZ wrote:I hate playing these cheating bastards. How much money did they give the line officials. Ive seen 3-4 offsides go uncalled, now Stek gets a red. This is brutal

really? we were destroying roma either way if there was a penalty or not. The ref made an awful decision no doubt about that i kinda feel bad for stekelenberg. But stop on this bribing bullshit that was our second penalty all season.

It was never a red card.

A penalty and yellow yes,we were already 2-0 down at that stage.

Fkn Nazio game all over again.

We better invest heavily in defence come the summer.

No more attacking players


DEFENDERS Do you hear me LUIS ENRIQUE

D E F E N D E R S