All Roads Lead to Roma: Bradley in the Eternal City v. I

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by Germerica, Jul 15, 2012.

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  1. Scotty

    Scotty Member+

    Dec 15, 1999
    Toscana
    Juve just did it.
     
  2. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Well here's how I see it....

    I personally think if we defended better we would have finished in Europa and maybe in the CL places. That stretch of matches from the end of March to the end of the season killed us.

    AC Milan 2-1 AS Roma 1
    AS Roma 5-2 Novara
    Lecce 4-2 AS Roma3
    AS Roma 3-1 Udinese
    Juventus 4-0 AS Roma
    AS Roma 1-2 Fiorentina3
    AS Roma 2-2 Napoli
    Chievo Verona 0-0 AS Roma2
    AS Roma 2-2 Catania2
    Cesena 2-3 AS Roma

    Juventus were the better side but I don't think they were 4 goals better, we did everything wrong that match.

    We should have pressed our advantage against Milan, we were the better team for 50min. Milan made some changes and we defended poorly and lost. Saying that only one forward in the world could have scored how Ibra did, completely owning Kjaer both with strength and skill.

    Napoli we got out of jail, but we didn't play that bad. Their rivals so we usually play them pretty well. Still that's another match were the deficiencies in the midfield, poor defending fullbacks, and poor center backs made things more difficult.

    The Chievo match was a disgrace, that's twice last season play was allowed to continue on what was an unplayable pitch imo. I feel like the conditions effectively negated our skill advantage.

    The other matches we shouldn't be dropping any points against, the Lecce match was probably the moment when Enrique's days were numbered, one way or another. That's not even to mention the matches we dropped stupid points earlier in the season, getting hammered by Fiorentina comes to mind, we looked horrible that day.

    Just one more win in that stretch and we're in Europa and we finished 8 points out of the CL. I'm bias but I think just in that run of matches we gave away 11 points one way or another. Some of it was tactical, lack of man management, or simply having a weak side (Kjaer, Gago, Angel, etc).

    Our biggest issue was defense and as it stands right now we've only added Leandro Castan, who doesn't have experience on this level. I saw him in the Copa Libertadores and he's been quality but that doesn't tell me much about how he'll perform with Roma. He just arrived today so we'll see how that goes.

    I'm waiting until deadline day before I predict anything. I think because we don't have a ton of money to throw around and we aren't in Europe we need to be clever. Our best bet is to wait until the last week or so of the window and take our risks on the bigger targets. Any center back we bid for now we'll likely get muscled out by the competition.

    We seem to be focusing on Destro which is nice because he's a good player but I'd prefer it if we were focused on defense. I don't think our attack was the problem last season. Even if our attacking options stayed static I would expect us to score more goals. If Osvaldo can stay on the pitch he's a 20 goal scorer, guaranteed. Under Zeman I'd be surprised if he scores less than 20.

    We sold Borini to Liverpool which a fair few of our fans are up in arms about. I didn't want to see him sold, especially for that price but given the comments from Zeman, it doesn't seem like we did it for the money. Zeman and Sabatini say the reasons were technical. I like Borini but he did have his slumps last season. He's a very direct player and his best attributes is his work rate and finishing ability, sort of like Tevez just with less technique/skill. That's probably the reason Zeman dumped him, he likes his forwards to be very technical players like Destro or Totti when he was bringing him through. Even when he was at the club I thought Nico Lopez may have the higher ceiling and early pre-season he's showing why. Still I think to settle down the fans we almost have to buy a forward, even if one isn't needed.

    We need two fullbacks and another center back. The most recent links off the top of my head have been Ogbonna, Musacchio, Zapata, Benatia, Rolando etc. I'm not sure we'll get one of those but I think we need one proven CB in Europe to have a real crack at Europe next season. We have a better defense last season and Bradley could be walking into a CL side.

    As for the competition, Udinese I'm pretty disappointed with. I know it's been their business being essentially a feeder club to the big clubs in Europe lately, but they've qualified for the CL again and they've sold all their players. For Italian football that's just bad, I can easily see them getting put out in the qualifying stages again, further damaging Italians coefficients. I hate them but honestly Lazio would have been better finishing 3rd because at least they wouldn't be destroying their whole team after qualifying for the most prestigious club competition. Lazio would be adding players right now.

    So basically that's the long way of saying, I think this year will finally be the year when they tumble down the league. So the competitors for Europe would be Roma, Juventus, Milan, Inter, Lazio and Napoli.

    Juventus will probably boss the league unless something radically changes, like Milan strengthening heavily. Some of their signings may not register with people who aren't fans of Italian football but a player like Isla will be massive. He effects matches from the fullback position like no other player. In a couple years I think he'll be in the same category as Lahm and Cole (even though he plays multiple positions). Overall they've strengthened well but they're still looking for that big striker signing RVP, Higuain or summat.

    Milan will add quality but it's impossible to say how they'll mix. I thought they might have a tough time gelling with the veterans leaving and replacing them with the likes of Montolivo, now that Silva and Zibra are out the door who knows. Still they'll have the money to build a side capable of finishing at least 2nd.

    Inter have quietly done the second best business this window and their still looking to strengthen. If I had to choose a club that's favorite for 3rd it would be them. Palacio and Silvestre are more familiar to Italian football fans but both are quality additions.

    Next I feel you have a bank of clubs Roma, Napoli and Lazio who are all in the same situation. It all depends on how this window goes. We're all competitors for that CL spot because while Inter may have done the best business early and are still looking to add, I don't think the separated themselves significantly from the pack yet. Not to mention next year will be Stramaccioni's first full season, both Roma and Napoli have the coaching advantage on paper.

    Napoli lost Lavezzi and while they have two players they think can replace him already at the club you never know. People talk about Cavani all the time but for years now Lavezzi is really what makes them tick. Even when Cavani and Hamsik struggle he'll still be bustin' his ass to dig out a goal. He's the key player in that counter attacking system, I don't think it will be so easy to immediately replace him. They are in the market for Jovetic though and that would be an amazing signing, so here's hoping it doesn't happen.

    Lazio have a good squad but they could be docked points or even relegated with the whole scandal business, so we'll see. If they're docked points they'll be barred from Europe this season, which would put Roma in Europa.

    They were going good last year but started to wobble. The fans and media all put the blame on Cisse so he was sold. Which I feel if they were patient they would have turned around that poor form. Even though Cisse wasn't scoring he was very influential in his play. So if they aren't sent to Serie B I think they'll be in the mix. Lazio are sort of known for pulling odd big signing out of nowhere, they were close to signing Honda in the winter but it fell through.

    So to sum up, If we fill our holes by deadline day I'd say Champions League qualification is a realistic goal though very difficult, regardless Europa league should be a minimum goal. We're good enough to have a crack at that.
     
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  3. deuteronomy

    deuteronomy Member+

    Angkor Siem Reap FC
    United States
    Aug 12, 2008
    at the pitch
    Club:
    Siem Reap Angkor FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What is your take or the various scenarios for MB to start?
     
  4. BimmerBenz95

    BimmerBenz95 Member+

    Feb 24, 2012
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  5. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I honestly don't know, Zeman has played the 4-3-3 in some form for decades. Also De Rossi does have health issues so he might start in place of him at times. I don't think he'll walk into a starting position but you never know.

    I think when he does play it will be in De Rossi's spot or with De Rossi. It depends on how attacking of a midfield we want. Say if we played Juventus I think both De Rossi and Bradley would play. If we play Cagliari we might opt for a more attacking midfield with with Pjanic and Lamela.

    It's slightly clouded because I'm not sure what's the plan for Totti or Osvaldo for that matter. Is Zeman going to drop him back into the midfield, play him as a false 9, or even reduce his role.
     
  6. usnroach

    usnroach Member+

    Jul 5, 2009
    SoCal
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Who is Zeman thinking about using in the deep lying play maker role(alla Pirlo/Veratti)? De Rossi? Isnt that what he normally uses with the Central 3?
     
  7. McGarnagle

    McGarnagle Member+

    Apr 29, 2010
    Club:
    FC Ingolstadt 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think MB and Roma play Rapid and Boyd today. Any idea if MB will play?
     
  8. Ironkick14

    Ironkick14 Member+

    Sep 29, 2011
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't know if he will play but for anyone who wants to watch there will be a stream on firstrow
     
  9. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think he will.
     
  10. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This is the predicted lineup.

    Roma (4-3-3): Lobont; Rosi, Burdisso, Heinze, Taddei; Florenzi, Bradley, Marquinho; Lamela, Totti, Osvaldo. Coach: Zeman
     
  11. Friedel'sAccent

    Friedel'sAccent Member+

    Jul 7, 2006
    Providence, RI
    Club:
    Reading FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Match starts at 1:30 ET, for those of us who, y'know, don't have office jobs and can find a way to watch...
     
  12. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Team arriving at the stadium.

    I think Bradley is roomies with Perrotta.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Friedel'sAccent

    Friedel'sAccent Member+

    Jul 7, 2006
    Providence, RI
    Club:
    Reading FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Gameday thread for today's match here.
     
  14. ttrevett

    ttrevett Member+

    Apr 2, 2002
    Atlanta, GA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Didn't MB play as a left sided midfielder in a 4-3-3 at Chievo? Not saying he played as a left flank player, but a left side of a 3 man midfield with an overlapping left back?
     
  15. ttrevett

    ttrevett Member+

    Apr 2, 2002
    Atlanta, GA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    According to mulitple sources, that Lamela kid is an exciting prospect. Hope he starts on MB's side of the field.
     
  16. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thing is there's like 3 players competing for that position. He can play there but like I said depends on managers preference. I think for now he'll be rotated with De Rossi and when we need more solidity in the midfield he'll play with him.
     
  17. ttrevett

    ttrevett Member+

    Apr 2, 2002
    Atlanta, GA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Sorry, I wasn't saying he would walk into that position, only that typically for the Nats he would play centrally in a 4 or 5 man midfield. I was asking if it was true that he was previously in a 3 man midfield at Chievo and playing on the left side.
     
  18. deuteronomy

    deuteronomy Member+

    Angkor Siem Reap FC
    United States
    Aug 12, 2008
    at the pitch
    Club:
    Siem Reap Angkor FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Nice goal by Terrrence Boyd from a bicycle.
    Now look who he runs into as he gets up.
    Yep it is MB wearing the #4 shirt.
     
  19. NotreDameFlamengo

    Jul 25, 2011
    Raleigh, NC
    Club:
    Flamengo Rio Janeiro
    Nice is an understatement.
     
  20. Germerica

    Germerica Member+

    May 2, 2012
    Club:
    Los Angeles
    Lamela is one of Argentina's brightest stars, he's awesome.
     
  21. comoesa

    comoesa Member+

    Aug 13, 2010
    Christen Press's armpit
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Okay half by Bradley. He only had one really bad give away. Looked rusty though. It didn't help that he was the only midfielder defending the back line. Not a role you would want just after your first days in camp.
     
  22. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The kid on the RW in the second half is one of Uruguay's brightest talents. We seem to be stacking them up at the moment. We have the Greek kid coming in later and he looks like a good prospect.
     
  23. NotreDameFlamengo

    Jul 25, 2011
    Raleigh, NC
    Club:
    Flamengo Rio Janeiro
    I'm curious as to who the Uruguayan is? No olympic team for him?
     
  24. SoCalYid

    SoCalYid Member+

    Jun 11, 2011
    BigSoccer :)
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Nico Lopez

    He's only 18 and he has some difficult relations with the national team so that might have contributed. They only opted for 3 forwards and he was never getting in over Abel Hernandez who's age eligible and a spot starter for Palermo and had senior team call-ups. Nico has only played in the Primavera until now.

    Lopez might be the best young player we have currently on the roster and that includes Bojan and Lamela. I personally think it's why Sabatini/Zeman weren't too bothered losing Borini, Lopez ceiling is pretty high. Lamela can also play where Borini used to but he's more of a natural treq, a replacement for Totti, Lopez is a wing forward/supporting striker.

     
    NotreDameFlamengo repped this.
  25. wsmaugham

    wsmaugham Member+

    Apr 3, 2002
    Chicago
    His miss off the crossbar just before was even more impressive. Altogether it showed the goal was no fluke.
     
    Tom Collingsworth repped this.

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