I totally agree with your team and opinion on Cassetti. However I don´t think Tonetto will be ready, it was said that a miracle was needed for him to play the game at Old Trafford.

 

If Tonetto is not ready I even prefer Vucinic to start than Willy or Chivu to play LB and Ferrari CB. I think we need 1 more player with great height and strength in the team than Willy at Old Trafford.

 

I think Perrotta is a blow to lose. Seeing Pizarro back is great, but it's awkward to say things even themselves out, they're fundamentally different players.

I like the idea of Cassetti playing up there, but I can't see Tonetto coming back (didn't they say a month?), so I'd stick with the same defense. Which probably means Wil, like tonight. (I wouldn't advocate starting him, but I thought Rosi looked ok for the short time he played in Rome. At least not scared by the importance of the game)

 

Media reports that Vucinic is likely to start. So:

------------Doni
Cassetti-Mexes-Chivu-Panucci
-------De Rossi-Pizarro
--Vucinic--Taddei--Mancini
------------Totti

 

I think its advantage Roma, I was not impressed at all by our game when we had 11 men, its clear we came for a draw and didnt play football so I hope we give it our best and try to score goals. Definetly advantage Roma though despite the Rooney goal.

Whatever happens I am proud, good luck guys. :thumbsup:

 

Carrick has to play a blinder for United to contain Totti in the counters. Should be an interesting game.

 

With Scholes missing I think Spalletti may feel we can sacrifice the midfielder and instead play Totti with Vucinic in attack and Taddei and Mancini to the sides. Alot will depend on how hard they work of course and Vucinic too. I think its worth having a go at playing like this, but its still too early to say.

 

I think a lot of United fans misinterpret Totti's role in counter attacking situations. Only seldom will you see him try to beat men á la Ronaldo tonight. He's the one hitting the pass for others to run on to, players who are faster. Like Mancini.

 

Carrick has to play a blinder for United to contain Totti in the counters. Should be an interesting game.

Its not Totti he has to stop, but he has to stop the ball going through to Totti and to be honest he was just watching the ball and players running past him all nigth with no clue with what was going on

 

I think a lot of United fans misinterpret Totti's role in counter attacking situations. Only seldom will you see him try to beat men á la Ronaldo tonight. He's the one hitting the pass for others to run on to, players who are faster. Like Mancini.

Of course. He was spraying balls left, right and centre, but knowing how United attack, if we feck up a chance, we can easily get caught out with a lightweight attacking minded midfield. And knowing Tottis ability, it's a huge danger.

Usually with Scholesy-Carrick we control teams and thus don't give them the chance to counter, but letting Totti to control things (which will surely happen in counters),...

 

Who will take Scholes place? Will Park, Neville, Evra be back?

 

Fletcher - Carrick or Giggs - Carrick.

 

Who will take Scholes place? Will Park, Neville, Evra be back?

If Fergie goes for it, like he does in some games, it'll be Giggsy. If he is defensive, it'll be Fletcher/O'Shea. If he wants to go right at Roma, it'll be this most likely (incase Evra/Park are fit):

-----------Rooney--Saha
Ronaldo--Giggsy--Carrick--Park
Evra--Heinze--Ferdinand--Brown
------------VDS

Though Evra is a huge doubt, so we might still see shitty O'shit as a rb. Almost most likely, it'll be a 451 formation with a 3 man central trio sadly

 

O'Shea was much less of a liability than Heinze was tonight. Surprising, but a fact nonetheless.

 

Evra has been very good the Utd games I´ve seen this year so I don´t mind him missing the game.

 

Agree, but it doesn't usually happen with Gabby, while with O'Shea when he does a good thing, it's a suprise. Still remember the dimwit getting outplayed by relegation teams week in week out last year, when Scholesy was out for the 2nd part of the season. Useless git

 

I love that ManUtd will have to come out attacking next week...we're better on the counterattack than when we are dictating the game. Our last 2 matches are perfect examples..we dominated Milan and ManU by attacking and dictating the pace...but drew 1-1 and won 2-1. We're much better absorbing pressure and scoring on the break as we did against Lyon. We don't do well with all these corners and freekicks either.

Old Trafford next week....its going to be hell....worse than any nightmare we ever dreamed...but in the end, I know we'll be the one standing...we know what we have to do...do it Roma....DO IT!!!!

 

Surprising is that Mancini hardly ever exploited O'Shea. Mancini didn't get much service either but Roma should've identified the several times Mancini did go 1 on 1 versus O'Shea he made him look stupid every time.

It's unfortunate they didn't take advantage of that mismatch not nearly enough.

I agree. I also would have thought O'Shea playing would have been all the invitation Mancini would need to play a blinder, but it didn't add up. Hopefully next week!

 

I love that ManUtd will have to come out attacking next week...we're better on the counterattack than when we are dictating the game. Our last 2 matches are perfect examples..we dominated Milan and ManU by attacking and dictating the pace...but drew 1-1 and won 2-1. We're much better absorbing pressure and scoring on the break as we did against Lyon. We don't do well with all these corners and freekicks either.

Old Trafford next week....its going to be hell....worse than any nightmare we ever dreamed...but in the end, I know we'll be the one standing...we know what we have to do...do it Roma....DO IT!!!!

ROCKY IV I LOVE IT!!!:thumbsup:

 

Things to be hopeful:

- We do well against teams which attack us. We know how to defend well (to some extent) and our deadly weapon(the counter) is best operated when we have the spaces.

- This season generally we did well away from home. Our players don't seem to be affected playing between opponent crowds.

- We'll have Pizarro back. He is more important than Perrotta in such game. He will be fresh, he will control the tempo. He is excellent in killing the game and wasting time running around.

- The players should have more confidence now, the shock of playing against big team like Manu is already gone.

- They lost Scholes in an already depleted midfield. It's a big loss.

- Mancini had his usual off-game today. Watch his magic next week.

- Vucinic looks hot. He can be vital.

 

Other positives/thoughts

- Our only struggle is against powerful teams, something Man U are not although Saha will be back so we must take some care in the box.

- Man U think they are already through

- Man U generally are weak in Europe, even at home... Benfica I think and Celtic have scored here already this year while Lille was dangerous.

- We must be careful in the firdt 20... its typical for English teams to have a rocket up the arse in the first 15-20 minutes and then go a bit slack if they dont break us down.

 

rest the eleven players against catania spalletti

 

This is going to be a grueling match...we walking onto the pitch at Old Trafford and its probably one of the most intimidating places to play, especially for the first time. We are definitely underdogs and are expected to lose, but we got our chance...we have a legitimate chance...all you can ask for right now.

And I gotta believe Totti, Mancini, and De Rossi have something special in them for next week...they didn't really show it today and I credit ManUtd's defense as they were very good. I can't believe Totti and Mancini are going go out this quietly....I hope not.

 

- Man U think they are already through

Not at all.

 

Other positives/thoughts

- Our only struggle is against powerful teams, something Man U are not although Saha will be back so we must take some care in the box.

- Man U think they are already through

- Man U generally are weak in Europe, even at home... Benfica I think and Celtic have scored here already this year while Lille was dangerous.

- We must be careful in the firdt 20... its typical for English teams to have a rocket up the arse in the first 15-20 minutes and then go a bit slack if they dont break us down.

How on earth did you come to that conclusion?:rollani: The only team through is Liverpool.