Roma 1 - 0 Catania [Coppa Semis, Leg 1]
So the first half of the match was so boring and uneventful, it would've cured insomnia. Second half kicked in and just two minutes into, Il Capitano Totti scored with a screamer that went just over the keeper's head and straight into the top of the net! It was classic Roma dominating from that point onwards with the one-touch passing and heart-stopping close calls, none of which ever came to fruition-- quel surprise. Many episodes of frantic passing [by the Romans] and tight defending [by the Catanese] later, the scoreline was held at 1-0 to Il Lupi. Narrow lead, but I'll take it.
With back-to-back wins away to Udinese and at home to Catania, needless to say, the Romans are OVER their CL heartbreak.
In training, Mirko and Philou bonded.
[Also, 75th minute, Mirko shows us the answer to the age-old question of: "Boxers or briefs?" And FTR, the answer is... really old tighty whities.]
And so did these two...
Fra: I heard you got sacked. I'm sorry.
Walt: Um, that was Walter Novellino. I'm Walter Zenga.
Fra: Oh. I thought you were Stefano Colantuono.
Walt: Yeah, Stefano got re-hired. Not sacked. That was Guidolin.
Fra: ALL THIS SACKING IS CONFUSING ME! Anyway, your biceps are really hard.
Walt: Hee, I work out.
Prior to kick-off, Fra was doing some drills and accidentally hit a paparazzo right smack in the face with the ball.
So Spal rested his usual starters and fielded a most unorthodox line-up [with Perrotta as DMF-- WTF!?]
Anyway, Mancini started in place of Vucinic in the left wing. My, how tables have turned. Amantino is B-team now?
Antunes, whom we've only ever seen twice before, started in place of Tonetto.
He is earning rave reviews, btw... carrot boots aside.
DDR was not on the call sheet, so Brighi filled in for him.
Taddei was lounging on the bench and giggling up a storm on the sidelines as Esposito started in the right wing.
Mauro really wanted to get that Catanese nekkidz, eh?
Ludo was a firecracker and had two scoring chances, one of which was saved [the turnaround shot would've been amazing] and the other just going wide off the post.
Mini Frenchie really deserved to be on the scoresheet, but came off in 2H for Mirko.
Pizarro came on late in the second half for the inefficient Esposito to reclaim his reign over the midfield.
So. Francesco.
Injury? What injury? Totally back in form.
"DIDN'T YOU SEE THAT DUDE PUTTING HIS ELBOW IN MY THROAT!?"
[Forrealz, it happened. Fra was getting strangled.]
*pets*
Simone: Which bastard tripped you up?
Fra: THAT ONE. *pouts*
"That one."
"No, that one."
Claiming innocence?
So, the goal.
Absolute stunner. Fra was surrounded by about three defenders and he danced around them and unleashed from 20-30 meters out in front of the net and struck with so much power, the keeper didn't even leap for the save.
Roma 1-0!
I smell a thumbsuck coming on.
Aaaand there it is.
Happy teammates shared the love
Check out the young Portuguese's wandering paws
Frenchie topping as always
Mexes was the best defender out there today and was hustling since the first whistle.
He did get booked for a handball when he tried to score with his arm, oops.
Giallo aside, it was a solid performance from the Frenchman and was crucial in maintaining a clean sheet today. *showers him with back pats*
The second leg of the Coppa semis will be on May 7th away to Catania.
With back-to-back wins away to Udinese and at home to Catania, needless to say, the Romans are OVER their CL heartbreak.
In training, Mirko and Philou bonded.
[Also, 75th minute, Mirko shows us the answer to the age-old question of: "Boxers or briefs?" And FTR, the answer is... really old tighty whities.]
And so did these two...
Fra: I heard you got sacked. I'm sorry.
Walt: Um, that was Walter Novellino. I'm Walter Zenga.
Fra: Oh. I thought you were Stefano Colantuono.
Walt: Yeah, Stefano got re-hired. Not sacked. That was Guidolin.
Fra: ALL THIS SACKING IS CONFUSING ME! Anyway, your biceps are really hard.
Walt: Hee, I work out.
Prior to kick-off, Fra was doing some drills and accidentally hit a paparazzo right smack in the face with the ball.
So Spal rested his usual starters and fielded a most unorthodox line-up [with Perrotta as DMF-- WTF!?]
Anyway, Mancini started in place of Vucinic in the left wing. My, how tables have turned. Amantino is B-team now?
Antunes, whom we've only ever seen twice before, started in place of Tonetto.
He is earning rave reviews, btw... carrot boots aside.
DDR was not on the call sheet, so Brighi filled in for him.
Taddei was lounging on the bench and giggling up a storm on the sidelines as Esposito started in the right wing.
Mauro really wanted to get that Catanese nekkidz, eh?
Ludo was a firecracker and had two scoring chances, one of which was saved [the turnaround shot would've been amazing] and the other just going wide off the post.
Mini Frenchie really deserved to be on the scoresheet, but came off in 2H for Mirko.
Pizarro came on late in the second half for the inefficient Esposito to reclaim his reign over the midfield.
So. Francesco.
Injury? What injury? Totally back in form.
"DIDN'T YOU SEE THAT DUDE PUTTING HIS ELBOW IN MY THROAT!?"
[Forrealz, it happened. Fra was getting strangled.]
*pets*
Simone: Which bastard tripped you up?
Fra: THAT ONE. *pouts*
"That one."
"No, that one."
Claiming innocence?
So, the goal.
Absolute stunner. Fra was surrounded by about three defenders and he danced around them and unleashed from 20-30 meters out in front of the net and struck with so much power, the keeper didn't even leap for the save.
Roma 1-0!
I smell a thumbsuck coming on.
Aaaand there it is.
Happy teammates shared the love
Check out the young Portuguese's wandering paws
Frenchie topping as always
Mexes was the best defender out there today and was hustling since the first whistle.
He did get booked for a handball when he tried to score with his arm, oops.
Giallo aside, it was a solid performance from the Frenchman and was crucial in maintaining a clean sheet today. *showers him with back pats*
The second leg of the Coppa semis will be on May 7th away to Catania.