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转自:Football 365
The Rise And Rise Of The Roman Empire
There's a team in Italy who have won six league games in a row. But it isn’t who you might be thinking. They have a tight, constantly improving defence (not Milan, obviously), and they have a strong, influential core of Italians in the side (not Inter).
They also play attacking football whilst making a concerted effort to stay within the rules and avoid needless cards for ill-discipline (certainly can’t be Juventus then). As Rolf Harris might say, have you guessed who it is yet?
They are the glorious football soap opera known as AS Roma. These fellas have made more comebacks than Frank Sinatra, and have experienced more false dawns than the Conservative Party since John Major lost to Tony Blair in 1997. On the brink before Christmas, the Giallorossi are now right up there in mix for the last Champions league place. But how?
Those in the know are pointing to three factors. The first is said to be the Cloughie-esque powers of manager Luciano Spalletti to re-energise and re-charge players who appeared to all and sundry to be a spent force, or just thoroughly fed up with life.
The most startling football re-birth has been Phillipe Mexes. A gifted, but raw young central defender, Mexes was basically awful in first year in Serie A last term. He was surly, ill-discliplined and useless. However, in recent weeks he has turned into a totem at the back, playing with the poise and skill that made him a French international in the first place. The floppy-haired centre back should be nicknamed 'RAF', because he is unbeatable in the air.
His fellow defender Christian Pannucci has also improved immeasurably. Something of a rebel, nown for winding up his own team-mates and managers as much as opponents, the full-back with the ridiculous side parting is now the model professional, the ultimate team player. With him pulling his weight and using his vast experience (you don’t play for AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madri , Chelsea and Monaco without learning something useful) a defensive unit can only benefit. Seemingly concentrating on his job and respecting Spalletti’s project, Pannucci is performing very solidly again.
The last time Roma were a real force, with power-perm Fabio Capello at the helm, Brazilian winger Amantino Mancini was a key part of the side, playing with speed and skill that only South Americans possess. In recent years his form has dipped though, and he has been in and out of the starting XI. He has also been linked to a move away from the Olimpico. The naughtiest of rumour mongers even suggested that Mancini was determined to leave the club after they flogged his best friend Crazy Antonio Cassanno. In a nutshell, the Samba kid’s head was in a mess. Not anymore though...Spalletti has put him into the team again, and with scorching results. His thrusting displays and cool finishing now light up every weekend.
At one point midfielder Simone Perrotta (born in England, Ashton to be precise, exactly a month and day after Elvis died) was the number one target for the Roma boo boys. His every touch was jeered and the mental, sorry, loyal fans made it clear that they didn’t want him in the Roma strip. His recent re-invention as the man in the hole has therefore surprised and thrilled many people in Italy. He is scoring and making chances for others to such an extent that wags in the media are questioning whether Roma have given his shirt to a new mystery player. The ex-Chievo star is unrecognisable, and revelling in his new advanced role, as all attacking moves pass through him.
The most popular man to return form the dead is the legendary Damiano Tommasi. Already an international cult hero, adored by the masses thanks to his beautiful afro and soul singer beard, the notoriously religious Tommasi suffered a horrific injury a few seasons ago and was written off. His chances of a comeback where supposedly zero, and his afro racing into the penalty area was a mere memory for the capital club’s fans.
Talk of retirement was premature though as Saint Damiano made his comeback earlier this season. Not just a great footballer, but also a dressing-room icon, his second coming has given everyone a lift. One cannot underestimate the collective smile on the faces of fans in Italy, not just those in Rome, when he netted his first goal since his lengthy lay off. He is one of football’s good guys. So much so that during his recuperation he instructed the board to put him on the minimum salary possible. How many players actually knock on the chairman’s door and say "Hey boss, while I am out of action, I’ll take a massive wage-cut. It is only fair."? That doesn’t happen much. The return of Tommasi and an irresistible AS Roma on the pitch - that isn’t a coincidence.
Apart from the revitalised 'Famous Five', another Stadio Olimpico idol, the main man himself, Francesco Totti, has also responded wholeheartedly to his coach’s ideas and approach, and is playing some of the best football of his life. Not only this, but he also showing emarkable restraint on the field. Never afraid to punch, elbow and spit, the number ten has cleaned up his act and is setting an example as a captain should. No more petulance, no more stupid cautions, just the good stuff. And when Totti does good stuff, it is very good. Two more goals and an assist on Saturday, his head is in the right place and he really is Captain Marvel. Spalletti has sorted out 'Il Pupone' and is reaping the fruits as the Roman Army fly.
On a more cynical note, informed voices are letting it be known that the departure of wild child Cassanno has also made the whole camp a more relaxed environment. This may appear to be a little harsh on Cassanno, but there is no denying his disruptive powers were felt during his spell at the club.
The only black spot is the behaviour of certain idiots in the stadium. Roma have been ordered to play one fixture behind closed doors as a punishment for the Nazi-themed banners which were seen in the crowd last weekend. These fools shouldn’t be allowed to display their poisonous messages in public, and equally, their actions mustn’t overshadow the miraculous progress being made on the pitch. Big men like Spalletti and Totti will long be remembered after sick thugs peddling hate have been long forgotten.
[此贴子已经被作者于2006-2-3 21:43:43编辑过]
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发表于 2006-2-4 05:43:00
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发表于 2006-2-4 06:06:00