Romanisti: Breathe Easy

The reason why I'll only shave once every three-four weeks.

Daniele De Rossi has re-signed with Roma for another five years. The marauding midfielder put pen to paper sometime before Roma's match against Inter on Sunday, but made the news public following the game. Finally, we Roma followers can breathe easy.

It has been tough watching Roma over the past few games without De Rossi (due to injury). The midfield was simply lost without him. His return on Sunday showed how badly we needed him. He commanded the middle of the park and controlled the flow of play with ease. In turn, Inter was dominated. We demolished a top-tier team on Sunday, one week after getting smacked by Cagliari. This feat was achieved largely because of De Rossi's return to the starting XI.

The urgency to have this player in our midfield for years to come was clear. And now we have him! Not to mention De Rossi is at the top of his game this year! Here's to a successful renewal! Sorry Manchester teams and Real Madrid. Cheers to Daniele De Rossi and Roma!



Photo Credit:
Blackwaterblue

New Boys Who Netted...

Some January purchases have paid off instantly this year! Here are a few players who have netted with their new club right off the get go:

Thierry Henry Arsenal

Incredible from the Arsenal legend. A dream comeback! To bad his great start has not carried on throughout his spell thus far. 

Darren Gibson Everton

The former Manchester United man gave his former team a boast in the standings after his cracker at Goodison Park was enough to see off league-leaders Manchester City. Courtesy of an assist from our boy Landon Donovan! 

Djibril Cisse QPR

The enigmatic forward who left Lazio (good move dude) netted a brilliant goal and followed it up with his trademark gymnastic routine. Bravo, weirdo!

Alberto Gilardino Genoa

Gilardino does what he's best at when he first arrives at a club: scores a goal. Then it's all downhill from there with the worst kit number possible, 82. Good goal though!

Michele Pazienza Udinese
The Juventus loanee returned to Udinese with a bang last night, scoring off a Toto Di Natale set-piece. See the goal here.


Video Credits:
YouTube
footytube

You Know Deadline Day Is Disappointing When...

Carlos Tevez doesn't repulse another suitor 

Seriously who would want this guy on their team?

Was anyone else disappointed to not hear about a failed Tevez deal? I was shocked. My dislike of Tevez is so strong, I take pleasure in hearing that a team is interested in him, then instantly repulsed by him moments later.

Sully Muntari matters
No picture needed, since he doesn't actually matter at all. The Inter and whatever English team he was on want-away really isn't that big of a signing. The fact that Inter fans could care less about one of their players going on loan to city rivals Milan is evidence alone. 

Louis Saha is a major signing

Saha in better days...

I like Tottenham, but what kind of move is this? The aging Frenchman is having a torrid year and is not really in good health. The only thing I can see him doing, to quote Soccernet's live commentary, is riding the pine and joining Ledley King in the physio's room. 

David Pizarro is actually in football news
I love Roma and am a huge fan of Pizarro, but never in a million years did I think he would be splashed across football's front pages this morning. He's old. He's always injured. He's hardly played this year. If anything, the news should start with "Why, Man City?" I hope he plays the way I know he can, but I really don't see why this was huge news. 

English teams don't splash Jan. 2011 cash on ridiculous players

Players in cars - universal transfer signifier

Last January was quite the spectacle in modern football. Moves were made at the penultimate moment, big cash was spent, and sh*t just happened and surprised the world. What happened this year England??? Only Gary Cahill. Borrrrrrrring.

Inter act like Inter
First they sell their anchor in the midfield Thiago Motta, effectively shocking the football world. Then they pull a Massimo Moratti loop-de-loop and scoop up Angelo Palombo and Fredy Guarin on loan! What is it with Inter and needing to make transfer for the sake of making transfers? 

You're an Arsenal fan

No description needed.


Anyone else have anything to add?


Photo Credits:
The Dirty Tackle
The Guardian
My Blog

AFCON 2012 - Gabon vs. Morocco: What. A. Match.

Did anyone happen to see the AFCON 2012 crunch match between hosts Gabon and Morocco today?? If not, feast your eyes on one of the matches of the year:



What an incredible night for the hosts! The victory vaults Gabon into the quarterfinals of the tournament and ousts pre-tourney favorites Morocco. What late drama!

El Clasico-FIFA '12 Correlation

El Clasico is nothing more than a bad FIFA '12 dream for Real Madrid.

Ramos receiving his marching orders after jumping near Messi

Ever play a crunch match in FIFA where you know you are better than your opponent? With the buzz of your 360 in the background, you dominate the first half, cause constant pressure, and have a bundle of goal-scoring chances. You're play is so flawless that it's only a matter of time before you score.

But then, you don't. Shots rifle off the post and your striker for some reason doesn't convert a chance he would nine times out of ten. Doubt creeps in your mind. It's going to be "one of those games," where this jerk I'm playing, who is a cheese team like Barcelona, pulls one back against the run of play. And then before half-time that exactly happens. Bam, Messi does something and somehow the balls in the back of the net. Then to compound this misery, a ridiculous strike from nowhere is scored leaving you to say: I hate this game. It's 2-0, it's Barca, there's no way back.

Nothing is more unnerving. This is El Clasico for Real Madrid. Things simply do not go their way. They deserved to win yesterday, the other day, and usually. They pounded Barca in the first half and wound up two nil down. This logically means Barcelona are so good they're cheap. They are the left trigger + Y pass to a fast player move in FIFA: downright annoying.

I could care less about La Liga, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, but watching highlights of last nights game screamed to me FIFA '12 injustice! Disagree or not, the scenario that happened to Madrid last night has happened to you while playing FIFA online or with friends.

Perhaps I'm playing too much FIFA '12?



Photo Credit:
EA Sports

Horrible Own Goal!

Courtesy of the Costa Rican keeper during a 2012 Women's Olympic Soccer Qualifier versus Canada. Also incidentally made better by the Canadian commentator.



There's a lesson to be learned about trapping for youth players here. Don't do that. How embarrassing. But look on the bright-side, you were already down 4-0!


Video Credits:
YouTube

Lessons In Scoring Goals - Alessandro Del Piero

The old dog was at it again in Juventus' Coppa Italia matchup with Roma this afternoon, burying a beautifully taken shot from the edge of the box into the top corner, past a helpless Maarten Stekelenburg.


Juventus 2 - 0 AS Roma by Anatolly7

Even though I'm sad this was against Roma...that's how it's done. Bravo, Ale!


Video Credit:
101 Great Goals