True, at least they actually went on atack after being reduced to 10. That's avere i coglioni, right there.
Looked to me that as soon as the goalkeeper got a touch on the ball, Cavani self-started his dramatic trip to the ground. There was a surprising lack of any contact with the GK. After the replays I was thinking it was probably yellow worthy. That said, in realtime I couldn't tell what had happened. Good call by the assistant ref.
when they've been good, he's been key. i think having marquinhos out hurt them as well. roma will have to rebound next game.
I think this is why he's a starter despite his surprisingly poor finishing. He seems to be involved in almost every attack and it's amazing to see how many times Roma wins the ball when Bradley is involved in pressuring. This game wasn't one of his best, but he was still pretty solid. If he sorts his finishing out he could be a proper star for them. Also, I'm not sure, but it seems the team plays better with Totti and De Rossi in supplementary/off-the-bench roles. It just feels like the team defers to them too much when they're on the field and it's too easy for opponents to close them off.
Exactly. Even though the Czech has a ton of experience in Italy, he's got to be the "least Italian" manager in Italy.
Anyone else wonder if Zeman shot the load first half off season? The team looked dazed and tired. Was always going to be the key question: Can this kind of style be carried through a full season? Let's hope they kick it into gear soon. The Serie A, all the match fixing not withstanding, is a rejuvenated league. Top to bottom the league looks strongish.
No. I do think the Orlando trip didnt help at all. We'll be fine the rest of the season, we werent going to make CL this season anyways. Just getting to EL will be good enough.
Napoli is a very good team. I guess it's all about expectations. I don't think too many people would have predicted this Roma team competing with Juve, Napoli, inter this year. So why be so down/surprised with this result. This is a new team, who will only get better along the way. And is also a signing or 2 away from being able to realistically compete for a CL spot in this league.
Here are the ratings from La Gazzetta dello Sport for Napoli 4-1 Roma: Napoli: 8 De Sanctis: 6.5 Campagnaro: 6.5 Britos: 6 Gamberini: 6.5 Maggio: 6.5 Behrami: 6 Inler: 6 Zuniga: 7 Hamsik: 6 Pandev: 7.5 Cavani: 8.5 (chosen as Napoli's best player) Dzemaili: 6 Mesto: 6 Insigne: N/R Mazzarri (coach): 7.5 Roma: 5 Goicoechea: 5.5 Piris: 6.5 Burdisso: 5 Castan: 5.5 Balzaretti: 5.5 Pjanic: 6 De Rossi: 5 Bradley: 6 Lamela: 5 Destro: 4.5 Totti: 6.5 (chosen as Roma's best player) Osvaldo: 6 Florenzi: N/R Zeman (coach): 5 The comment with Bradley's rating: "Played an infinite number of passes and even attempted a few through balls for the forwards, but it was all for naught. Against Inler he was by no means second best."
cavani had two very good finishes. on another day, or against a lesser striker, those don't go in. roma had a couple of half chances and one major sitter. on another day, those go in. napoli outplayed roma, but they were also incredibly lethal in front of goal, whereas roma wasn't clicking at the rate they usually do. this was a bad result, coming off the heels of a long, probably sponsor/owner mandated trip to the usa. still think their class will shine through. el shme-el. cl all the way!
Yeah, that's my take, too. To change that many time zones for such a short trip was a terrible idea. The whole side looked a step slow physically and mentally. When I read that they were still in Florida late in the week and had a huge match Sunday I couldn't believe it.