The return match is tomorrow night in Rome. We tied the first game and so are going into this match with an advantage. To make life easier Cassano has not be selected to the squad. The official reason is back problems, but in my opinion I think he's scared of returning to the Olimpico. That should remove a lot of their creative flair. Unfortunately for us we have a major problem in all of our main defenders being out (Mexes, Ferrari, Juan) so Spalletti will have to get creative with the squad selection. My prediction is Panucci and super Marco Cassetti as central defenders. Andriolli could be an option as he's recovered from his latest injury. Probable formation: Curci Cicinho - Panucci - Cassetti - Tonetto Aquilani - De Rossi Taddei - Giuly - Mancini Vucinic The only two doubts seem to be: Curci, he is the Coppa Italia keeper but the Mister may want some extra security. Especially with the experimental defense. Then of course Vucinic or Totti playing. With Cassano not playing Vucinic could get the nod to start.
All we have to do is keep a clean sheet for this match and we will advance on away goals. Ideally, a nice 1-0 or 2-0 win would be great. It will be interesting to see who Spalletti's field in the back line with so many players out.
The probable formation I posted is based on what he's been working on in training according to a Roman radio station I listen to. So I think the back-line is pretty accurate.
I don't like Panucci at CB, but i'm sure he will be fine. Not worried about Cassetti as he plays well in any position. Let's hope we provide enough support for Curci.
Curci; Cicinho, Panucci, Cassetti, Tonetto; De Rossi, Aquilani; Taddei, Giuly, Mancini; Totti. Around 11 minutes in, Curci goes off with a muscular injury, Doni is in. Can't say much on the game, I have a horrid stream.
Good victory by Roma. Decent game. Thought Totti was a little off...could possibly be due to him recovering from the flu. Panucci held the fort at CB. Cicinho made some good runs up field as well. Taddei didn't look his typical self today. He was extremely fatigued after the 70th minute. All that really matters is that we advance and are one step closer to defending our Coppa Italia crown.
Sorry excuse for journalism the internet is ... the article says both ties were without Cassano which is bull. He played in the first Coppa game. The match was alright, but Roma's attack is rather impotent at the moment.
Their attack seems to be struggling in the final 1/3 of the field. Not sure if it's being to fancy or over thinking plays. But, we need to get more shots from just outside the area.
Lazio also advanced to the Coppa semi finals today with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina. They'll now face Inter in their semi-final matchup. Although the chances of Lazio getting past Inter may be slim, it would definitely be awesome to see a derby matchup between Roma and Lazio in the final! Then again, it also wouldn't be so bad to see Roma vs. Inter in the finals again for the 3rd year in a row
Honestly...i've had enough of playing Inter. Howe many times do we have to play them a year lol. We've playing them twice a year in Serie A, then twice in Coppa Italia for 3 years now. I'm hoping Lazio defeat Inter. A derby Coppa Final would be fantastic. The Olympico would treat it as a CL final!!!!