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AS ROMA 2011-12 Season Thread

Posted on 8/31/11 at 5:56 pm
Posted by wm72
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2010
8018 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 5:56 pm
AS Roma 2011-12

"Rome wasn't built in a day" may need to be a mantra in the short term considering we have 14 new players (11 signed and 3 promising talents promoted from the Primavera youth team) as well as new manager implementing a style that's new to almost the complete roster. However, that's also why I'm assumming there'll be a lot of football fans following out of curiosity.


Here's the new arrivals / depth chart:

Direttore generale: FRANCO BALDINI
Direttore sportivo: WALTER SABATINI
Allenatore: LUIS ENRIQUE


Formazione primario: 4-3-3


--------------------Stekelenberg--------------------
-------------------(Curci, Lubont)--------------------

Cassetti ------------ Juan ---- Kjaer ---------------- Jose Angel
(Cicinho, Rosi) --- (Burdisso, Heinze, Cassetti) ---- (Taddei)


De Rossi ----------- Gago / Pizarro -------- Pjanic / Perrotta
(Viviani, Simplicio) ------ (Greco, Verre) -------- (Lamela)


Osvaldo ------------ Totti ------------- Bojan
(Borini) ------ (Boriello) ----- (Caprari)





CALCIOMERCATO:

New Arrivals: (excluding younger players bought and sent out on loans):

ERIK LAMELA (19, Attacking Midfielder -- River Plate -- Argentinian (EU))
JOSE ANGEL (21, LB -- Gijon -- Spanish)
BOJAN KRKIC (20, FWD - Barcelona - Spanish)
GABRIEL HEINZE (33, DEF - Marseille - Argentinian (EU))
GIANLUCA CURCI (26, GK - Sampdoria - Italian)

MARTEEN STEKELENBERG (28, GK - Ajax - Dutch)
SIMON KJAER (22, CB - Wolfsburg - Danish)
PABLO OSVALDO (25, FWD - Espanyol - Argentinian (EU))
LADY GAGO (25, MF - Real Madrid - Argentinian (EU))
MIRALEM PJANIC (21, AM - Lyon - Bosnian (EU))
FABIO BORINI (20, FWD - Parma - Italian)

from the Primavera Youth Team:
Federico VIVIANI (19, MF, Roman)
Gianluca CAPRARI (18, FWD, Roman)
Valerio VERRE (19, AMF, Roman)




OUT:
DONI (GK to Liverpool)
JULIO SERGIO (GK to LECCE)
JOHN ARNE RIISE (LB to Fulham)
PHILIPPE MEXES (CB to AC Milan)
JEREMY MENEZ (Att Wngr to PSG)
MIRKO VUCINIC (FWD to Juventus)
MATTEO BRIGHI (MF to Atalanta)




This post was edited on 9/1/11 at 9:59 pm
Posted by wm72
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2010
8018 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 5:57 pm to



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---------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
---------------------Juan ---- Kjaer-------------------
---Cassetti-------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
----------------------- Gago-------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------- Angel--
-----------De Rossi-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------- Pjanic-------------
------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Totti---------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
----------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.
Posted by glassman
Next to the beer taps at Finn's
Member since Oct 2008
116814 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 5:58 pm to
That is a pretty nice looking line up. Roma is my Serie A team for sure.
Posted by wm72
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2010
8018 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 6:05 pm to
quote:

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


The more the merrier!
Posted by crazy4lsu
Member since May 2005
37041 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 6:09 pm to
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).

I'm going to try to follow them once I get settled.
Posted by MSmithDizzle
Member since Sep 2009
745 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 6:10 pm to
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?
Posted by glassman
Next to the beer taps at Finn's
Member since Oct 2008
116814 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 6:11 pm to
I've always liked the red kits and the fact that they play in the old Olympic Stadium. I really like the Bojan, Pjanic and Stecklenberg signings.
Stecklenberg was a steal for what Roma paid.
Posted by wm72
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2010
8018 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 6:21 pm to
quote:

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).


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).

Posted by TN Bhoy
San Antonio, TX
Member since Apr 2010
60589 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 6:55 pm to
I'm now going to follow Roma like Caplewood follows City.
Posted by Dandy Lion
Member since Feb 2010
50603 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 7:05 pm to
JOSE ANGEL

This kid is for real.
Posted by wm72
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2010
8018 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 7:13 pm to
quote:

JOSE ANGEL

This kid is for real.


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.
Posted by Stewie Griffin
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2005
16148 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 7:39 pm to
Solid thread. I'm along for the ride.
Posted by americanoutlaw
Lafayette
Member since Jul 2010
4724 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 9:12 pm to
I wish I had my fake arse Totti jersey that I bought in 06. I want to get behind these guys
ETA: PAUSE
This post was edited on 8/31/11 at 9:13 pm
Posted by Boo That Man
Orange County, CA
Member since Mar 2010
393 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 10:07 pm to
I really like this side to challenge for the title. Totti still has another 15+ goal season in him...shame they lost Menez.

Inter have regressed, probably still a threat
Udinese have regressed
Juve still not good enough

really only see Milan, Inter, and Napoli contending.

Forza Rome!
This post was edited on 8/31/11 at 10:08 pm
Posted by winner
New Orleans,LA
Member since Jan 2007
2432 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 10:10 pm to
quote:

Roma



Juventus bitch! 30th league title coming this year

Forza Juve!!!
Posted by americanoutlaw
Lafayette
Member since Jul 2010
4724 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 10:20 pm to
quote:

Juventus bitch! 30th league title coming this year

Forza Juve!!!

I guess someone had to be THAT guy
Posted by winner
New Orleans,LA
Member since Jan 2007
2432 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 10:27 pm to
Sorry, not enough serie a shite talking on this board, all epl
Posted by NOSA
Member since Jan 2004
9698 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 10:29 pm to
Roma have been my Serie A team for a while now, just need to find them more on TV. But I absolutely love what they did in summer. Bojan, Gago, Pjanic, Kaer, etc. All really solid. Lost some players I like but really added nice quality.

ETA: Hell, totally forgot about what a steal Stekelenberg was. Some really shrewd signings.
This post was edited on 8/31/11 at 10:31 pm
Posted by wm72
Brooklyn
Member since Mar 2010
8018 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 10:45 pm to
quote:

Lost some players I like but really added nice quality.


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.
Posted by BleedPurpleGold
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2005
18943 posts
Posted on 8/31/11 at 10:53 pm to
I've always been a casual fan. I took Italian all 4 years of undergrad and my professor was a Roma fan. So naturally, to get on his good side, I started following them when I could. Glad we have someone on the board to finally keep me up to date.

Forza Roma! La squadra e' i campioni del mondo! (oltre al Liverpool)
This post was edited on 8/31/11 at 10:54 pm
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