Bari v Roma
I have neither the patience nor the patience nor the alertness to compose coherente sentences (see? couldn't even make it through one sentence sans typo - or switching to a language I don't know, apparently). So we'll go with the "throwing thoughts at the wall and see what sticks" method.
- It's been the week from purgatory in these parts, so my mind's been bubbling over with Inter thoughts. The blockage must be released.
There are two non-defenders on this team - defenders are, of course, a different breed - I've not only thought, but am absolutely sure and have been for years, have neither dived nor feigned injury for a single moment in their entire lives: one is Daniele De Rossi, the other is Matteo Brighi. They are truly old school. That's all.
(I'm not sure I actually have many more Inter thoughts, but that's an important one.)
- The two best highlights from that game were not the goals but, having watched it again, Nicolas Burdisso's furious reaction at Julio Cesar's save before realizing a goal had actually been scored, and Daniele's bunny hop routine after Luca Toni's game-winner.
- Burritos is giving me nightmares. Well, Burritos + the positioning of John Arne Riise, which could combine to produce sizzling fajitas.
Apologies.
Also causing nightmares is Barreto, who'll also be on a sort of trial, having been linked to Roma for next year. Though it's likely to only be Toni + the return of Okaka in the summer. Still, I loathe players linked with a move to the opposition - they always seem to play out of their minds. Or out of their pockets.
-
Tovuto.
It's taking on almost mythical form in my mind, which is a slight problem. Also causing a problem is Totti's performance the first go 'round against Bari. Also also causing a problem is the commanding performance against Inter.
And thus anything but a six-nil scoreline before the minutes tick double digits will be a failure so devastating it will require six months of reflection in a mountain-top Tibetan monastery.
The other, other problem is this not only applies to Tovuto, but also to the game itself. Nothing ruins the fun like expectations.
- I got a little sad when comparing this hair...
...with this hair...
I've long harbored dreams of a full mane running onto a South African pitch donning the Italian ten. Dreams they shall remain.
- I love the "oops, did I just get myself a yellow to serve a suspension at a convenient time" move.
So a fruit basket to Menez, who put the kibosh on any Tovuto/Menez conundrums with a yellow against Inter. This boy is really learning to play for the team.
- I stand by what I said in the post-Inter bit in cdt (I think we need a better nickname):
And I’ve long thought, and still think, Bari is a “bigger” game than Inter. Based partially on the consequences from Saturday, but mostly because Bari is an extraordinarily difficult place to play (9-4-2 – equal points with Napoli in one less game) even before factoring in the weight of expectation. And this before before the ‘tactical’ consideration that they can simply pull goals from goddamn nowhere. A draw would have been okay against Inter. They absolutely have to win this game – for the points, for the table, for the confidence, for the momentum, for the thundering feet behind Inter – against difficult opposition in a difficult stadium. Though I do think it’ll be Tovuto, I think it’ll be more cautious than a trip away to a mid-table team after playing the league leaders off the pitch would typically call for.
(Though this is the first time I’m realizing Roma can draw and still ascend to the summit should Inter lose. I think I need to sit down.)
Going to sit down again.
Squad
1 BOGDAN LOBONT
3 MARCO ANDREOLLI
4 JUAN SILVEIRA DOS SANTOS
5 PHILIPPE MEXES
7 DAVID MARCELO CORTES PIZARRO
9 MIRKO VUCINIC
10 FRANCESCO TOTTI
11 RODRIGO FERRANTE TADDEI
13 MARCO MOTTA
16 DANIELE DE ROSSI
17 JOHN ARNE RIISE
19 JULIO CESAR BAPTISTA
22 MAX TONETTO
24 ALESSIO CERCI
27 JULIO SERGIO BERTAGNOLI
29 NICOLAS BURDISSO
30 LUCA TONI
32 DONIEBER ALEXANDER MARANGON (DONI)
33 MATTEO BRIGHI
77 MARCO CASSETTI
XI
Julio Sergio
Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Riise
Taddei, Pizarro, De Rossi, Vucinic
Toni, Totti.
Tovuto!
Important bit: The game is Saturday at 1500 CET, what with that whole "Jesus rising from the dead" hullabaloo on Sunday.