AS ROMA 2011-12 Season Thread

PREVISTE:


Based on what I've seen so far, Luis Enrique is implementing a lot from Barcelona. It will be interesting to see how this plays in Serie A where Spanish managers have had a notoriously hard time. My concern is that he may end up being both a bit too stubborn in trying to fit round pegs into square holes as well as not really tactically nuanced enough to get the best out the quality players he has.

For example, Totti is still far and away the best player we have on the pitch when he plays and he's at his most productive in his false punta role where he has freedom to roam centrally and pick out killer entry passes. At 34, what he can't do as effectively is drop deeper ala Iniesta (or make the runs a Messi would) and so far this is exactly where LE has had him (though in LE's defense, we really haven't had anywhere near a full team as of yet). Whether LE can find a way to adjust his tactics to take advantage of Totti's quality will determine how successful Roma is this year and probably next until the kids are really ready to step up.


Perhaps even a bigger concern is that Serie A is a whole lot different than La Liga in the amount of mid to lower table sides which are very disciplined, sound strategically and will drop back and absorb pressure all night but kill on well chosen counter attacks. Add to that so many younger players that are not be used to the better defense they'll be seeing game in-game out and I fear we may see Roma dropping points to a lot of lesser sides Inter-Barca 2010 CL style.


A huge thumbs up though so far to LE for being adamant about working Roma's top youth players into the rotation: Gianluca CAPRARI has looked like a threat to take minutes from Bojan so far, Federico VIVIANI (19) has impressed and may well be De Rossi's heir apparent and LE demanded Valerio VERRE be given a chance instead of going on loan to smaller club. One of the most frustrating things about Italian managers has been their reluctance to play younger players so don't be surprised (or warned if you're of the numerous people celebrating Italy's supposedly lack of young talent) to see some Italian 18-19 year olds start to emerge as rising stars.


Guessing from pre-season (which is a real guess since never more than 3-4 of our top players have seen the pitch at the same time yet), the positioning will look something like what you see below. Juan Angel, the kid from Gijon has looked green defensively but really promising going forward; he's been positioned so far pretty much like Dani Alves. De Rossi may play farther up the pitch when Gago plays but drop back when Pizzaro is on. I think Pjanic was brought in to play the role Iniesta plays for Barca. When Totti is off, I think Osvaldo will play more central but I'm sure figuring out where all the new attacking players are at their best together is the pressing project at the moment. Lamela looks like a huge talent but I'm sure he'll take a while to adjust. It will be interesting to see if he's played as an attacking midfielder or forward.


---------------------Stekelenberg---------------------
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---------------------Juan ---- Kjaer-------------------
---Cassetti-------------------------------------------
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----------------------- Gago-------------------------
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--------------------------------------------- Angel--
-----------De Rossi-----------------------------------
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----------------------------------- Pjanic-------------
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----------------------Totti---------------------------
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----------Bojan ---------------------Osvaldo------





PATIENZA:

Roma fans need to relax and try to enjoy the process. We have so much youth and so many players either just arriving due to transfer or summer medical treatments (Juan, Burdisso, Pizarro) that it's too much to expect that this team comes together right away. Also, I think we're still another year away from even being close to what Sabatini has in mind as there are still numerous quality players on the roster that just don't really fit with the new style of play. Also considering that AC MILAN, NAPOLI, JUVENTUS all look much stronger than last season with INTER and LAZIO probably being just as strong a top 6 finish shouldn't be looked at as a failure.

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That is a pretty nice looking line up. Roma is my Serie A team for sure.

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The more the merrier!

Solid breakdown and a lineup with a lot of potential from Roma. My Seria A teams have been Napoli and Roma but with a new season emerging(hopefully) it looks like i need to stick to one. Ill probably just watch the season play itself out, but is there any thing yall have got that could possibly sway me in the direction of Roma?

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I really think Roma did a great job this transfer period. They got solid players and prospects without overpaying for them, and got some steals too (Stekelenburg, Kjaer, Pjanic, Bojan, and Gago are all great deals).

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I hope you're right!

I was kind of nervous as it really went down to wire on some signings we needed most like Kjaer, Pjanic and Gago but I think Sabatini really did do a fine job. Also, the actual turnover of the club to DeBenedetto took so long I think Saba's hands were tied until the last 2 weeks in spending more funds than had come in for Vucinic and Menez.

The only major risk I see was probably overpaying for Osvaldo but we had to have a replacement for Vucinic who seems to have been a big part of the plan going forward but kind of bailed at the last minute and LE seems sold on Osvaldo's potential, who has come in with a great attitude (and wearing love beads).

JOSE ANGEL

This kid is for real.

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JOSE ANGEL

This kid is for real.

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Grazie Gijon!

I'm really happy Roma signed him. Looks like he's already in line to get the most minutes at LB this year. He'll need to work on his defense but he's looked fantastic in the attack so far.

Seems like a really good kid too. He's probably having a hard time living down an hilariously too cute homemade video of his trip to Roma to sign his contract that he posted on the club's facebook page.

I wish I had my fake arse Totti jersey that I bought in 06. I want to get behind these guys
ETA: PAUSE

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Roma

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Juventus bitch! 30th league title coming this year

Forza Juve!!!

Sorry, not enough serie a shite talking on this board, all epl

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Lost some players I like but really added nice quality.

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Agreed.
MEXES, VUCINIC and RIISE are tough losses of the kind of players that just color the game way beyond their play.
We won't replace their simple entertainment/enjoyment value easily. . .
though Kjaer's blonde hair and tattoos may well mean that Juan doesn't realize Mexes has left.