Roma v Milan: Match Discussion

epic Lamela vs El Shaarawy

non related but zago related

http://www.football-italia.net/28570/zago-assist-zeman-roma

I thought Marquinhos was injured ?

Very tough match on offer here, fellas. Milan don't fool me one bit with their shaky defense and lethargic midfield. The real magic of this side has been coming from the front and largely through the sensational El Shaarawy, who has well and truly taken Ibra's throne as King of Milan. The Diavolo travel to the Olimpico tomorrow with a chance to jump ahead of us in 6th place. Let's take a look at the squad that will look to keep that from happening:

Squad News

Mauro Goicoechea is actually in line to remain ahead of Maarten Stekelenburg in the goalkeeping pecking order. The 24-year old has really made his case for starting spot over the Dutchman, putting in a string of solid performances. I think he's done a really good job, but he's got to be a bit more vocal. He'll need to be especially with the league's top scorer to keep out.

Ivan Piris will continue his good form at RB ahead Taddei, who is still injured. Biggest news undoubtedly is that Leandro Castan is out suspended and will be replaced by Nico Burdisso. The veteran Argentine has been a real mixed bag in defense between shambolic displays at the beginning of the season and a really good one against Palermo. He's shown a real hesitancy in understanding Zeman's system so he will be one to watch tomorrow. Alongside him, I'm relieved to see Marquinhos recover from the injured picked in Verona to start this match. Federico Balzaretti will round out the defense. The Italian has been a real steady-eddy, providing solidity down the left defensively as well as helping Totti in attack. His industry will be needed should he come face-to-face with Robinho.

Daniele De Rossi will make a strong push to reclaim his spot in the starting midfield, but faces stiff competition Zeman-favorite Panagiotis Tachtidis for the favored center midfield berth. With Michael Bradley virtually a lock given his good form as well and Alessandro Florenzi continuing to have a dream debut season. Then there's also Miralem Pjanic who will be expected to slot back into midfield with Erik Lamela returning to full fitness at RW. A real shame we can't play all of these guy at once, but someone's got to sit out. My pick at this point would still be De Rossi based purely on form, but then that still leaves one more to leave out. I personally think it should be Panas.

Up front, the aforementioned Lamela will re-claim his spot at RW with Dani Osvaldo in the middle and Francesco Totti on the left. Mattia Destro, despite his good scoring form, will not be able to displace any of these yet so he will remain on the bench along with Junior Tallo and Nico Lopez.



The Opposition: A.C. Milan



Last season's runners-up have had a real roller coaster of a first half to this season. We all know by now how poor they looked at the beginning and while they've gotten considerably better, the loss of big names like Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hurt this side invariably. Never a side to count out at any time of the season, Milan will not lock down defensively like Chievo nor will they allow us so much space in midfield like Fiorentina. They've always been a different monster entirely and that will continue on into the game tomorrow.

The Coach: Massimiliano Allegri



He's reputation has taken something of a hit over the past season and a half, but people are so quick to forget just how good a tactician this guy is. He's still the man that led Milan to a scudetto in only his 2nd season as coach. Allegri knows what he wants out of his players and unfortunately a lot of what has to do with Milan's malaise this season is that he simply doesn't have the players he needs. He's done the best he can with what's at his disposal and absolutely should continue to.

The Familiar Face: Philippe Mexes



Always interesting when a former Roma player returns to the Olimpico, especially one as memorable as Mexes. Il Rugatino Will face his former side for the first time since leaving, having missed both fixtures last season through injury. The French International has not been the best form of late and has often looked a shadow of the talented defender that formed one of the best CB partnerships with Cristian Chivu since Aldair-Samuel. You're know you're a defender in poor form when your outrageous bicycle kick goal gets way more plaudits than the actual defending. That said, I look forward to seeing Mexes again, but it will be in our best interest to make sure his return to Rome isn't a good one.

The Danger Man: Stephan El Shaarawy



Undoubtedly one of the best young players anywhere in Europe this season as well as the best attacker in Serie A. The Italian international has well and truly arrived at the top, starting his breakout season in sensational fashion with a league topping 14 goals so far this season. His ability on the ball and fearless willingness to take chances from anywhere in the attacking third has meant that SES has caused problems to every defense tasked with handling him. Since he will be facing the 4th worst defense in the league, I fully expect him to notch at least one goal, but if he's going to that, let's at least force a strike of pure brilliance out of the youngster.

Final thoughts

Milan have a huge advantage in this fixture overall as well as recently. We have not been able to beat them at home in 4 years now. With no Ibra to torment us now, don't think his successor won't pick up the slack. However, there's hope for this fixture yet as our propensity to rise to the occassion against the bigger sides has served us well so far this season. We will have our chances and we undoubtedly have a better midfield than Milan currently. Imposing our game on them from the off is what will be done. There won't be any fog this time around, but with Rocchi refereeing this one, I won't hold my breath on getting any good calls.

3-2 Roma

in that year Allergy had little competition , Inter wasnt as strong as before , Juventus was struggling and Roma ....

I dont consider Allergy to be a good tactician

two thing

1- commentator compared gioc with Bartez
2-ddr is playing alright

allegry sent his team without a center forward and therefore get punished

gio for fifa 13 team of the weak?

De Rossi was brilliant. Roma really exploited Milan's defensive weaknesses. They pressurized Yepes and Mexes more than they could handle and as a result, Osvaldo and Lamela's goals came from silly mistakes from Yepes and Mexes, respectively.

The performances which stood out for me - on an evening when everyone was good - were Giocoechea, Marcos and De Rossi.

Can we get a call please, the lack of offside calls at the end of the game was just outright insulting.

Overall great game by the entire team. Where was this last week against Chievo? At least we found our way out of the fog for this one.

Motogp69 wrote:Can we get a call please, the lack of offside calls at the end of the game was just outright insulting.

Overall great game by the entire team. Where was this last week against Chievo? At least we found our way out of the fog for this one.

in zeman word : Milan let us play , chievo didn't

and its berlusconi's team what did u expect