Nobody ever has perfect personnel. But I guess the question is if a Tachtsidis (regista) & De Rossi (intermedio) combination is better than a Bradley (intermedio) & De Rossi (regista) combo. I still maintain that Tachtsidis is too raw. I haven't seen him in Serie B so I just don't know enough about him. What I did see during the US tour was a guy who has decent qualities but who didn't always pick out the right pass. Almost like he was trying to do too much. That is something that will change with experience.
Tachtsidis might be raw but the coach asked for him by name, the only player he specifically requested. Coaches don't tend to do that with players for the bench. Unless you are Mancini at City.
I think Bradley will start but Tach will eventually phase in to that starting spot over time. Both played a lot in preseason though so who knows.
Think he is going to be a star and a total bargain. Looks to have a bit of everything with the potential to be incredible at a lot of things
Any news on Bradley's injury? He supposedly had a muscle strain but he has been out for a while now. I wonder if he will be available for the first game.
Pre-match press conference comment from Zeman on Bradley: "How do I rate the US midfielder? I think his attitude and focus are exceptional and I hope he's able to give the best of himself here." http://www.asroma.it/en/news/news.html?id=6395
I just worry about how lax defensively he is. If DDR played in the center it wouldn't matter. But De Rossi seems like he's going to play on the right, which means Tacht HAS to be more aware defensivily or we are going to be screwed. At least with Bradley you know he is going to defend, clog up passing lanes, score the odd goal, and add the occasional decent pass.
I actually think it was his mother in laws sister. Yeah, that's it. She was blonde and had Irish like skin. I'm gonna say polish or Irish blood.....
Amanda (Mikes wife) is from New Jersey (New Providence) so you have to think she has some Italian in her family. He last name Barletta is Italian as well.
I'm very excited on Michael Bradley's goal the other day. This is great news for American soccer. Ten or Fifteen years ago, this would have been unheard of but to see the evolution of the American player has been long and painful. I hope there are more players like him in the future who will be given a shot at the Serie A.....
Indications are that Bradley is going to take Tachtisids' place tomorrow in the middle. In the two games Bradley played significant minutes he had an assist and a goal and played decent in the middle. Tomorrow might be his opportunity to lock down the starting spot if he does well. Hopefully his speed and defense will be able to cut down those counterattacks that burn us so bad.
Good article. If one follows the game in the USA as I do, you will see its no longer a joke. Beckham is still here as is Henry but they struggle more often than not and are being paid too much in my opinion. Other than those two however, the soccer league is tough and not as easy as people tend to want to believe.