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

So, for about 48 hours? Why?

 

I believe those are the days that training is open to the public.

 

He got red carded late in the game, IMO it was a bad call by the ref.

 

How's the marketing been for Roma in the USA since Bradley joines? Sold anymore jerseys than usual ot started any new more fan clubs over here?

 

Ask Roma http://www.asroma.it/en/contact/index.html

 

Roma-Fiorentina ROMA (4-3-3): Goicoechea; Piris, Marquinhos, Castan, Balzaretti; Bradley, Tachtsidis, Florenzi; Pjanic, Destro, Totti.

starts again. De Rossi on bench

 

That clubs make the amount of money on shirt sales that leads them to sign arguably inferior players is one if the great bits of football fan mythology. It just isn't the case and fans should stop dragging it out every time they don't understand a signing, often stemming from prejudice. I mean, what use could my club have for this Korean, that Japanese, these Americans? Why does Sir Bumblefart keeping starting this imbecile? Oh look, he scored! Do they have his shirt in the shop?

 

4-2 Roma. That's their fourth win in a row and now 5th in Serie A.

The General goes 90. Totti, in great form, notches a brace.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/italian-serie-a/2012-2013/as-roma-fiorentina-535759.html

Roma has 29 points tied w Lazio(who has a game in hand) and Fiorentina
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/italian-serie-a/table.html

 

Roma. Greatest show on turf these days.

 

Now where is Michael Bradley?

 

He's very easy to spot here.

 

Great goalline save by Bradley to keep Roma ahead near the end, he had like 3-4 shots, probably should have scored at least one, but then Roma probably should have scored 8. He looks a bit hesitant and lacking some confidence at times near goal, hopefully that goes away as he gets more comfortable with the team.
He started off slow with some mistakes but then really fit in, only one of the starting trio who wasn't subbed out.
That was the best game I have seen in weeks, one of those "if you think soccer is boring, wachovia this" type games....

 

I watched a bit of Stoke - Aston Villa and thought "gee, this game could use a little Bradley..."

 

if only they could be so lucky... wait... they could have been!

 

FYP

 

There is a reason I only watched a "bit."

 

Finishing aside, Bradley's playing a big role in some very stylish team football. I love the way this Roma team approaches every possession. It's assertive and direct, and they all trust each other out there. They win the ball and intend to combine immediately to put the defense on their heels. It's so decisive and precise.

I understand why Ray Hudson is all over their junk. Cause it is quite majestic.

 

Player ratings per Sportsmediaset:

ROMA-FIORENTINA 4-2Roma (4-3-3): Goicoechea 7; Piris 6, Marquinhos 6,5, Castan 6, Balzaretti 6,5; Bradley 6,5, Tachtsidis 6,5 (19' st De Rossi 6), Florenzi 6,5 (19' st Perrotta 6); Pjanic 7,5, Destro 7 (28' st Osvaldo 6,5), Totti 8.Fiorentina (3-5-2): Viviano 4,5; Roncaglia 6,5, Rodriguez 7, Savic 5,5; Cassani 5 (1' st Mati Fernandez 5,5), Aquilani 6, Olivera 5 (1' st El Hamdaoui 6), Borja Valero 6, Pasqual 5,5; Cuadrado 6, Toni 5,5 (38' st Seferovic 6).

 

MAJESTERIAL PHIL!

 

Roma are blazing up the league. Any more rumors of De Rossi planninh to leave or should we be ready to see Bradley most likely seeing time on the bench soon?

 

Here are the ratings from La Gazzetta dello Sport for Roma 4-2 Fiorentina:

Roma: 7.5
Goicoechea: 6.5
Piris: 6.5
Marquinhos: 6.5
Castan: 6
Balzaretti: 6
Bradley: 7
Tachtsidis: 6.5
De Rossi: 6
Florenzi: 6
Perrotta: 6.5
Pjanic: 7
Destro: 6
Osvaldo: 7
Totti: 9 (chosen as Roma's best player)
Zeman (coach): 7

Fiorentina: 6.5
Viviano: 6.5
Roncaglia: 6
Rodriguez: 7
Savic: 5.5
Cassani: 5
Mati Fernandez: 6.5
Aquilani: 5.5
Olivera: 5
El Hamdaoui: 6.5
Borja Valero: 7 (chosen as Fiorentina's best player)
Pasqual: 6
Cuadrado: 6
Toni: 5
Seferovic: N/R
Montella (coach): 6.5

The comment with Bradley's rating: "Doesn’t have the feet of an artist, but brings fighting spirit and more. Grew in the second half, nearly scored and preserved the result with a goal-line clearance."

 

That about sums it up and I would agree with both the rating and the comment. He was great in the midfield and repeatedly involved in the attack but lacked that little bit of magic with the ball at his feet in the box. Still, you can see why Zemen keeps going to him despite having more expensive/renowned options at his disposal.