Real Madrid vs. Roma Discussion Thread

vs.

First Leg: Tuesday 19 February (Stadio Olimpico)

Second Leg: Wednesday 5 March (Santiago Bernabeu)

Group Stage Form

Real Madrid: WDWDLW

Roma: WLWDWD

Hopefully Pepe will be fit...still got three weeks or so.

If you bastards start with Gago, prepare for a hammering.

Where is Aqualani? Will he be ready for this tie?

robert wrote:Where is Aqualani? Will he be ready for this tie?

You mean Aquilani? He's returned from injury, he played a full 90 minutes against Sampdoria.

Black Magic wrote:If you bastards start with Gago, prepare for a hammering.

We've beaten you 3-0 the last two times we played in Roma. The only team likely to get a hammering is you

Torrente wrote:

Black Magic wrote:If you bastards start with Gago, prepare for a hammering.

We've beaten you 3-0 the last two times we played in Roma. The only team likely to get a hammering is you

All Im saying is if you start with Gago, prepare for a world of hurt, thats all. Oh and how quickly you forget our win against you at the bernabeu in 2002. Also, you guys aren't as good as you were in 02 and 04.

Remember a young Daniella De Rossi ripping through the Madrid defence to score? Too bad you steam rolled us in the end to win 4-2.

My whole comment was a pisstake against Gago. So come down sweet lips, I expect you guys to win.

I expect Real to win this one, but nothing is certain... this season represents Roma's strongest chance to do well in the CL, and they could shock a few teams. Roma's players should have a better control over their nerves on big european nights now... Real will have to attack and outscore Roma, there is no other way.

@Black Magic

Your win in the Bernabeu back then was basically meaningless since we were already first in the group no matter what so we didn't have much motivation and Del Bosque rested some key players.

I also don't think that Gago playing would have such a negative effect, especially if we have our defense fully fit which should consist of Ramos/Cannavaro/Pepe/Heinze. But either way, there's not much of a point in debating that since Diarra is 100% sure to play (unless he gets injured of course). On key games, Schuster has always gone for Heinze and Diarra over Marcelo and Gago. The latter two players are a bit too young to be playing in such crucial games.

bluenine wrote:I expect Real to win this one, but nothing is certain... this season represents Roma's strongest chance to do well in the CL, and they could shock a few teams. Roma's players should have a better control over their nerves on big european nights now... Real will have to attack and outscore Roma, there is no other way.

If I had a Euro for every time I heard that...

I would say that there were significantly better Roma teams in the past, such as the Capello one with Cassano, Cafu, and Totti and they still didn't trouble us. Admittedly, our current team is not as good as our past teams but I still don't see Roma troubling us so much. I don't think we'll steamroll past them, but I see ourselves drawing or getting a win by a small margin in Roma followed by a relatively comfortable victory in the Bernabeu.

I think Bluey means this is the first time in years that we've cemented a CL spot consistently not having to worry about whether we'll be here next season.

I'm sure the matches will be closer than the past

Torrente wrote:

bluenine wrote:I expect Real to win this one, but nothing is certain... this season represents Roma's strongest chance to do well in the CL, and they could shock a few teams. Roma's players should have a better control over their nerves on big european nights now... Real will have to attack and outscore Roma, there is no other way.

If I had a Euro for every time I heard that...

I would say that there were significantly better Roma teams in the past, such as the Capello one with Cassano, Cafu, and Totti and they still didn't trouble us. Admittedly, our current team is not as good as our past teams but I still don't see Roma troubling us so much. I don't think we'll steamroll past them, but I see ourselves drawing or getting a win by a small margin in Roma followed by a relatively comfortable victory in the Bernabeu.

They beat you at the Bernabau didnt they? Anyhow, they were struggling badly that season.

Their best chance was 2002 but they blew it against Liverpool and drawing against Galatasaray.

BoBo Vieri wrote:

Torrente wrote:

bluenine wrote:I expect Real to win this one, but nothing is certain... this season represents Roma's strongest chance to do well in the CL, and they could shock a few teams. Roma's players should have a better control over their nerves on big european nights now... Real will have to attack and outscore Roma, there is no other way.

If I had a Euro for every time I heard that...

I would say that there were significantly better Roma teams in the past, such as the Capello one with Cassano, Cafu, and Totti and they still didn't trouble us. Admittedly, our current team is not as good as our past teams but I still don't see Roma troubling us so much. I don't think we'll steamroll past them, but I see ourselves drawing or getting a win by a small margin in Roma followed by a relatively comfortable victory in the Bernabeu.

They beat you at the Bernabau didnt they? Anyhow, they were struggling badly that season.

Their best chance was 2002 but they blew it against Liverpool and drawing against Galatasaray.

They had a 1-0 at The Bernabeu with Totti scoring.

A couple of seasons later they were winning there but the ref decided to intervene and gave Real a 4-2.

This is one of UEFA's favourite clubs against one of their least favourites - I know which way all the 50-50's will go.

THis also sums up why the CL is Cr@p.

Real v Roma should be a prestigious fixture but its so underwhelming - I mean they've played each other loads in the last few seasons.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:They had a 1-0 at The Bernabeu with Totti scoring.

A couple of seasons later they were winning there but the ref decided to intervene and gave Real a 4-2.

This is one of UEFA's favourite clubs against one of their least favourites - I know which way all the 50-50's will go.

THis also sums up why the CL is Cr@p.

Real v Roma should be a prestigious fixture but its so underwhelming - I mean they've played each other loads in the last few seasons.

Yes, I remember it so well. The referee pushed poor Dellas in the way of Raul's shot causing the ball to deflect and wrong foot the goalkeeper. Amazing what lengths some will go to!

Jaime wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:They had a 1-0 at The Bernabeu with Totti scoring.

A couple of seasons later they were winning there but the ref decided to intervene and gave Real a 4-2.

This is one of UEFA's favourite clubs against one of their least favourites - I know which way all the 50-50's will go.

THis also sums up why the CL is Cr@p.

Real v Roma should be a prestigious fixture but its so underwhelming - I mean they've played each other loads in the last few seasons.

Yes, I remember it so well. The referee pushed poor Dellas in the way of Raul's shot causing the ball to deflect and wrong foot the goalkeeper. Amazing what lengths some will go to!

And what shows even more that UEFA loves us is those amazing draws they keep giving us! Look at the easy rivals we've had in the last several years for the second round - Bayern, Juventus, Arsenal, Bayern and now Roma! We really begged for those teams after seeing the likes of Celtic, Olympiakos, and Rangers in the draw over the years.

Jaime wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:They had a 1-0 at The Bernabeu with Totti scoring.

A couple of seasons later they were winning there but the ref decided to intervene and gave Real a 4-2.

This is one of UEFA's favourite clubs against one of their least favourites - I know which way all the 50-50's will go.

THis also sums up why the CL is Cr@p.

Real v Roma should be a prestigious fixture but its so underwhelming - I mean they've played each other loads in the last few seasons.

Yes, I remember it so well. The referee pushed poor Dellas in the way of Raul's shot causing the ball to deflect and wrong foot the goalkeeper. Amazing what lengths some will go to!

What about the penalty for the "foul" on Raul by Panucci (?)

BoBo Vieri wrote:

Torrente wrote:

bluenine wrote:I expect Real to win this one, but nothing is certain... this season represents Roma's strongest chance to do well in the CL, and they could shock a few teams. Roma's players should have a better control over their nerves on big european nights now... Real will have to attack and outscore Roma, there is no other way.

If I had a Euro for every time I heard that...

I would say that there were significantly better Roma teams in the past, such as the Capello one with Cassano, Cafu, and Totti and they still didn't trouble us. Admittedly, our current team is not as good as our past teams but I still don't see Roma troubling us so much. I don't think we'll steamroll past them, but I see ourselves drawing or getting a win by a small margin in Roma followed by a relatively comfortable victory in the Bernabeu.

They beat you at the Bernabau didnt they? Anyhow, they were struggling badly that season.

Yeah in 2002.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Jaime wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:They had a 1-0 at The Bernabeu with Totti scoring.

A couple of seasons later they were winning there but the ref decided to intervene and gave Real a 4-2.

This is one of UEFA's favourite clubs against one of their least favourites - I know which way all the 50-50's will go.

THis also sums up why the CL is Cr@p.

Real v Roma should be a prestigious fixture but its so underwhelming - I mean they've played each other loads in the last few seasons.

Yes, I remember it so well. The referee pushed poor Dellas in the way of Raul's shot causing the ball to deflect and wrong foot the goalkeeper. Amazing what lengths some will go to!

What about the penalty for the "foul" on Raul by Panucci (?)

The tide had already turned...even if the penalty hadn't been given we would have won that match.

You get me wrong... Under Capello, Roma were at times brilliant (specially one winning season) but never consistent over a few seasons... That year, they were not that good as they were in their championshiop winning season... and most of their players were novices when it came to the CL.

Under Spalletti, in the last 3 years, Roma have gone from strength to strength. They are becoming more consistent every season, and they are gaining consistent CL experience. I can confidently say that you face the strongest Roma in europe that I have seen in over 20 years. They have more quality depth than Capello's team, they have more experience, and they have more confidence.

That said, if they beat you I would consider that as an upset. Real start as favourites, and not just coz the second leg is in Madrid. Real this season are working much better as a team and have a decent defence. Roma's mentality when down is still very fragile - thats what seperates them from Inter... when things are going well, they are as good as us. But when things are down, and lets say you hit them with 2 early goals, there is a good chance that they will just collapse. Just look what happened when Inter went there earlier this season, they go a man down, and Inter easily streamrolled them by 4 gaols - there was no fight!

I put this game as a 60-40 in favour of Real. Similar to the odds I gave during ManU-Roma tie last season. But there is still a 40% chance that Roma will beat you. When in song, Roma can beat anyone. And this year, the chances that they will fold under pressure are reduced.... still there, but reduced.

Torrente wrote:

bluenine wrote:I expect Real to win this one, but nothing is certain... this season represents Roma's strongest chance to do well in the CL, and they could shock a few teams. Roma's players should have a better control over their nerves on big european nights now... Real will have to attack and outscore Roma, there is no other way.

If I had a Euro for every time I heard that...

I would say that there were significantly better Roma teams in the past, such as the Capello one with Cassano, Cafu, and Totti and they still didn't trouble us. Admittedly, our current team is not as good as our past teams but I still don't see Roma troubling us so much. I don't think we'll steamroll past them, but I see ourselves drawing or getting a win by a small margin in Roma followed by a relatively comfortable victory in the Bernabeu.

Siena took their chances as Roma laboured in this encounter, meaning that the Tuscans were able to rack up a historic, and fully merited victory...



zoom - galleria A quickfire double salvo from Siena set them on the road to victory in the first half, before Mario Frick wrapped it up late on to conclude a memorable day in Tuscany.

Roma had journeyed north with their minds firmly on a routine win as they look to keep their ailing Scudetto dreams alive, while Siena - who have already taken a scalp or two this season - would look for a result of their own.

The hosts were having to defend deep early on, with Tonetto and Mancini roving down the left, but other than Totti's wide free kick early on, there were relatively few clear chances for the visitors.

Siena showed them how it was done just 12 minutes in with an opportunistic finish. Veteran midfielder Simone Vergassola was able to steer the ball home after Ferrari was unable to deal with Kharja's excellent cross.

The Robur outfit were thus emboldened, and they enjoyed a good ten minutes of pressure after that.

Still, few can deny the quality of Roma's lineup, and they began to look dangerous down the flanks. Tonetto had a good final ball on him, but Manninger was bravely able to intercept his cross 22 minutes in. Siena, though, were always able to hit on the break, and this became their modus operandi.

Roma kept the pressure up, with Perrotta capitalising on some fine work from De Rossi and Totti on the half-hour mark, only for Manninger to save the resultant volley.

Just before the break, Siena were inches away from making it 2-0 when Frick hit the post and Maccarone found himself unable to tip the rebound over the line, but in fact they were to enjoy a commanding advantage at the interval.

For Tonetto was credited with an own goal after his frenzied hack off the line only resulted in the ball slamming into the net. It wasn't hit fault, per se: rather, it was a fine cross from De Ceglie that started the whole sorry incident.

Roma had to do something, and Vucinic was brought on for Taddei just after the break in an attempt to turn things around.

But the giallorossi were shellshocked, with only Mancini looking capable of changing the game. However, luck was to desert him at every turn.

At the other end, Doni was putting i na fine performance as his defence stumbled aimlessly about him. Maccarone brought out a brilliant, yet effortless save from the stopper on the hour mark, while Jarolim took advantage of space to force yet another save five minutes later.

Indeed, Siena had given up on counter-attacking by this time, and settled on good, old fashioned football instead. Not for them was the last-ditch defending that one might have expected: Roma had too little to offer to make it worthwhile.

Long balls to Totti brought no joy for the visitors, but there was still some to come for the hosts. For Mario Frick was able to waltz through the statuesque Roma back line and make it 3-0 with a far-post finish with seven minutes to go.

Rigano could then have well and truly wrapped it up, only to hesitate on the ball, admittedly under pressure from the ever-ready Doni.

Roma were clearly wishing for the game to end, and, as tempers flared, it did so - but what a dreadful result for them.

Siena, meanwhile, can be well and truly proud of themselves, but coach Mario Beretta will be under no illusions, for this was not the Roma that we know.



Both teams slipped up this week.

I have a feeling Roma will do this. Real are certainly the better team, but I think Roma will edge it.

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:I have a feeling Roma will do this. Real are certainly the better team, but I think Roma will edge it.

Spalleti has improved Roma and did a great job at Udine but maybe he's a bit too nice to be a real winner at the top level ?

Robinho is awesome and they can't afford to stand off Guti for a second.

Ruud's a big, steaming pile of $h!t once it gets to this stage.

I hope Mexes kicks the f@ck out of him

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:I have a feeling Roma will do this. Real are certainly the better team, but I think Roma will edge it.

Will be a close game, I would just like to win so Cicinho will shut his mouth.

I hope Roma can win this...I have a feeling they will, but Roma are always due a crazy game (The 7-1 against Man Utd, the 3-0 against Siena).

Matthew Upson wrote:I hope Roma can win this...I have a feeling they will, but Roma are always due a crazy game (The 7-1 against Man Utd, the 3-0 against Siena).

the 3-0 against us

BoBo Vieri wrote:

Matthew Upson wrote:I hope Roma can win this...I have a feeling they will, but Roma are always due a crazy game (The 7-1 against Man Utd, the 3-0 against Siena).

the 3-0 against us

Losing to Lazio is pretty disgraceful...

TM wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:I have a feeling Roma will do this. Real are certainly the better team, but I think Roma will edge it.

Will be a close game, I would just like to win so Cicinho will shut his mouth.

Will Cicinho even play? I don't even know if he features much. If he does, Robinho will certainly appreciate all of the empty space down his flank.

Jaime wrote:

TM wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:I have a feeling Roma will do this. Real are certainly the better team, but I think Roma will edge it.

Will be a close game, I would just like to win so Cicinho will shut his mouth.

Will Cicinho even play? I don't even know if he features much. If he does, Robinho will certainly appreciate all of the empty space down his flank.

He's not played much at all. Robinho would tear Cicinho to shreads, but i think Spaletti knows this also, and won't play Cicinho, unless they play 5-3-2 with wingbacks.

Cassetti will be picked as the Right Back ahead of Panucci and Cicinho. Cassetti is the fastest, strongest and fittest enough to handle Robinho's pace.

Cicinho has played in Midfield most of the season.

So Roma will be playing with three right backs then? Brilliant!