well thx n good luck to u guys in the hunt for CL spot, the race is still open.
w00t didnt get to watch the match but wow nice to win it wif 2 late goals. Giuly n Vucinic scored after Kaka gave AC the lead, n both of them were subs... a big thumb up to Spalletti !
n oh my, what a great asset for the club Mirko is becoming now suddenly. he let me down quite a lot of time b4 this, but recently he been nothing short of superb, mainly playing on the left flank n coming on as sub ! Forza Mirko !
i have to say what a clinical finisher vucinic is....what a winning goal last night. perfect run, perfect 1st touch, perfect finesse shot to fool kalac....hope he can do the same agains MUnited....
GTG
This post has been edited by Punish: Mar 16 2008, 04:42 PM
Valon Behrami's stoppage-time strike gave Lazio a 3-2 victory in the Derby della Capitale that leaves Roma seven points off the top of the table.
The Giallorossi needed a victory to keep up the pressure on Inter after a splendid 2-1 win over Milan, while Delio Rossi's men were struggling to maintain mid-table mediocrity, so winning the Stracittadina would mean the world to them. Luciano Zauri, Massimo Mutarelli, Simone Del Nero, Fabio Firmani and Mobido Diakhite' were sidelined.
The Derby della Capitale was an emotionally charged affair, especially as it was Father's Day in Italy. To encourage fair play between fans, the father of Gabriele Sandri (the Lazio fan accidentally killed by a stray police bullet in November) and the son of Vincenzo Paparelli (the Biancocelesti supporter who died during the 1979 derby when hit by a firework) stood in the Curva Sud populated by Roma Ultras.
Lazio had the first chance after seven minutes. Alexander Doni was taken by surprise on a looping Aleksander Kolarov free kick, but got back to fingertip it on to the crossbar. As the move continued Rolando Bianchi turned off target.
Mirko Vucinic drilled wide of the near post and Simone Perrotta nodded a Marco Cassetti cross off target.
It was Roma who took the lead in bizarre circumstances, as scorer Rodrigo Taddei didn't know much about it. Valon Behrami's clearance was hit straight at Taddei's chest and face, ricocheting into the net! Goran Pandev drew Lazio level on the stroke of half-time. Kolarov got to the byeline and Doni palmed his cross into the path of Pandev for a simple finish from seven yards.
After the restart Perrotta flashed a shot on the bounce across the face of goal and Totti had a strike disallowed for offside.
On 54 minutes Kolarov's splendid free kick curled on to the base of the near post.
The referee pointed to the spot moments later for Juan's challenge on Bianchi, as there appeared to be some shirt-tugging. Tommaso Rocchi stepped up and converted to give Lazio the lead, although Doni very nearly got to it.
Roma fought back almost immediately, as a long ball over the top was controlled by Vucinic with his back to goal for the on-rushing Perrotta to blast in at the near post. The Giallorossi were now pouring forward in a thoroughly entertaining derby as Juan's header was off target and Cassetti just failed to get the touch to a Vucinic cross.
It was a very open game as Massimo Mutarelli's shot was charged down and on the counter in the same move Totti tried to dribble past several players and was eventually stopped on the edge of the box.
Pandev went on a spectacular slalom until Cicinho cut off his path, while the Brazilian defender threatened at the other end with a long-range attempt.
Deep into stoppages Roma failed to deal with a Pandev chipped cross and the ball fell to Behrami to smash under the bar from eight yards.
Spalletti still believes Wednesday 19 March, 2008 Luciano Spalletti was furious after a controversial penalty, but believes Roma can still win the Scudetto.
They had the opportunity to close the gap on Inter to four points this evening, but instead the 3-2 stoppage-time defeat to Lazio increased it to seven.
"What is crucial is that the team always tries to win every game, regardless of who we are facing. Tonight we did that.
"We lost three points and the chance to give the table a real shake-up, but we will continue to go forward, always believing and working in the right way."
It was an extremely entertaining match, but the Giallorossi were far from happy with the soft penalty awarded for Juan's challenge on Rolando Bianchi.
"Lazio did better in the first half and were more compact, but after the break when we drew level then there were some situations we could have dealt with better. "We took control of the game and were dominating play. As for the penalty, it's best we keep quiet. We'll accept Morganti's decision.
"The winning goal seemed like a dead end, but the two defenders left it for each other and Valon Behrami was smart to pounce."
Roma had their fair share of luck, too, as Rodrigo Taddei opened the scoring by accident with a lucky ricochet.
"We were a little fortunate on the first goal. Aside from looking at the points we have amassed, results are more important because we have important competitions still to face and positive scorelines help maintain enthusiasm."
The Giallorossi are the only Italian club left in the Champions League, where they will face Manchester United, and have also reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Cassetti: They deserved it Thursday 20 March, 2008 Roma defender Marco Cassetti has admitted that Lazio deserved to claim the spoils in last night's Derby della Capitale.
A last-gasp Valon Behrami strike saw the Biancocelesti triumph 3-2 in a thrilling Stadio Olimpico encounter.
The result has damaged Roma's faint Scudetto hopes, but Cassetti believes it was a fair indication of the game.
"They were better and more determined," the 30-year-old admitted. "The derby is always a difficult game. Things were going well for us, but we fell at the end."
Lazio took a 2-1 lead from the penalty spot after referee Emidio Morganti penalised Juan for pulling Rolando Bianchi's shirt.
"The penalty was dubious," Cassetti claimed. "In my opinion Bianchi committed the foul. But still, the Aquile played very well.
"Are we out of the title race? No, there's little difference between trailing by six or seven points and we have to look forward. We still have faith."
Spalletti: Empoli is must-win Friday 21 March, 2008
Roma tactician Luciano Spalletti is ready to move on from Wednesday's derby defeat and claims everything rests on tomorrow's game against Empoli.
The Giallorossi are still licking their wounds after Valon Behrami's last-gasp strike sentenced them to a 3-2 reverse in the Derby della Capitale.
As Inter only drew, Spalletti's men are still only seven points back in the title race, but there is no more room for error. "Our morale is different to how it would have been had we won the derby, but I can see the right reaction in the players' eyes," the Tuscan boss insisted.
"I am convinced that they will respond in the right way, as they have before when we have had trouble."
"The game against Empoli is the most important of the year because Inter are playing Juventus.
"If the Nerazzurri win then we can open the gap in second place and if Juve win then our Scudetto chances improve. "It won't be easy to win the title now, but we are just going to chase. I can't say that we will catch Inter, but we will do our part.
"Empoli don't seem to be struggling and they played well against Milan and Juventus. They have a lot of motivation and a young side that can make themselves felt on the pitch."
Brazilian defender Juan will be missing tomorrow due to injury and the influential duo of Alberto Aquilani and Philippe Mexes are suspended.
"Juan has swelling and won't be able to play, while Marco Cassetti and Max Tonetto have trained and are looking good," Spalletti revealed.
"Francesco Totti has got over the fouls he received in the derby and will be available." Training today was open to fans and a number of Giallorossi supporters arrived at Trigoria to cheer their heroes.
"It was nice for us as lots of lads came down to show their support," Spalletti grinned.
"It was an important gesture after the derby. The fans obviously recognise the three years of work that we have put in."
Empoli stunned Roma by battling back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw when the sides met at the Stadio Castellani in Week 11.
Roma (probable): Doni; Cassetti, Ferrari, Panucci, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro, Giuly, Perrotta, Mancini; Totti
wow its nice to see us win by goals from 2 of our veteran defenders - Tonetto n Panucci. Perrotta got sent off when its 1-1 but i guess that fired us up.
Giovinco was great in this game, what a prospect he is.
Inter lost to Juve, so its 4 points now n the race is still on.
Totti adds to Roma concerns Tuesday 25 March, 2008
Francesco Totti's knee injury is worrying Roma, who must already travel to Cagliari without Daniele De Rossi, Mirko Vucinic and Simone Perrotta.
The Giallorossi's Scudetto hopes have been sensationally revived over Easter with the gap from leaders Inter reduced to just four points. However, they face a tricky test this coming weekend against on-form relegation battlers Cagliari at the Stadio Sant'Elia.
Vucinic, De Rossi and Perrotta picked up cards during the 2-1 win over Empoli and will be suspended for this trip.
Totti is also a doubt after limping off during training today with a problem in his right knee. Initial reports suggest it was purely a precautionary measure, but considering his shaky fitness levels this season the news is worrying Roma fans.
This is particularly true with Vucinic also sidelined, so the choice of strikers is very limited for Luciano Spalletti.
Defender Juan is struggling with an ankle injury, while this week Alberto Aquilani, Christian Panucci, Philippe Mexes and Antunes are away on international duty.
Mar 16 2008, 01:50 PM
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