GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Every Friday on Giallorossi Yorkshire, a Roma fan selects their all-time dream five-a-side team made up of Roma players. See who made today's team here.
Name: Mark Briggs Location: York, England Team: Alisson - His sweeping ability vital to a 5-a-side. Aldair - All round defensive ability at its purest. Cafu - Attacking/defensive flair, energy and stamina. Daniele De Rossi - Consummate midfielder, defensive nous & playmaker's vision. Gabriel Batistuta - pace, height, energy, hold up man, incredible shooting ability (almost went for Voeller but...) (Sub: Francesco Totti - The very name says it all.)
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2017-18 was a write-off for Maxime Gonalons in his first season in Rome after joining from Lyon, as the midfielder failed to impress.
Now, he could be set to move on, after it was reported that Premier League side Crystal Palace could be interested in signing the Frenchman. Here is how Roma fans on Twitter have reacted. Topic One: Gonalons out?
He's one of the best players to come out of Roma's academy in the last few years, but Lorenzo Pellegrini's first season with the club since returning from Sassuolo was mixed.
He had some good moments, scoring his first goals for his boyhood club, but other times he didn't have as much of an impact as he could have. He managed a respectable three goals and four assists in Serie A, but some fans were still left wanting a bit more productivity from the 22-year-old. However, those fans shouldn't lose faith just yet. Pellegrini has a big year ahead of him, one that will show the direction he is going in as a player. And if history repeats itself, he could be in for a good year. Looking back at his time at Sassuolo - where he played under current Roma boss Eusebio Di Francesco - it's clear that Pellegrini performed much better in his second season. Whereas his first campaign with the Neroverdi had brought just 13 starts, in which he scored three times but failed to register an assist, he became more comfortable in the first team the following year. In 2016/17, Pellegrini featured in 28 league games for Di Francesco's side, also making his European debut after Sassuolo's remarkable qualification for the Europa League. As his gametime increased, so did his output. He contributed an equal number of goals and assists - six each, a high figure for a midfielder. At the end of the season, he was rewarded for his form with his senior international debut, against Liechtenstein in a World Cup qualifier, and a transfer back to Roma, where he had previously captained the Primavera side. Can he follow a similar pattern of progression in his second season back in Rome? His first year was decent, but showed that he sometimes needs to be more clinical. He certainly managed to make that transition after a full year in Sassuolo's first team, doubling his goal tally, and he will be hoping that he can progress again as he looks to nail down a place in Roma's midfield. With the summer acquisitions of Javier Pastore, Bryan Cristante and Ante Coric, there is now tougher competition in the position. Pellegrini will have to work hard to secure his place in the side, but if he does, he will have a big opportunity to show what he can do. A good season could see him get back in contention for a place in the national team, and would make him another success story for Roma's youth setup. Some fans seem to have lost a bit of belief in Lorenzo Pellegrini, but with the right attitude, he can prove all his doubters wrong in 2018/19. It's time for him to step up and deliver on a regular basis. And with a wealth of lessons learnt from one full season at Roma, it's something he has the potential to achieve. Today's team on Five-a-Side Friday, where Roma fans choose their all-time dream five-a-side team made up of Roma players, has been chosen by Italian journalist Belinda Malfetti.
Name: Belinda Malfetti Location: Rome, Italy Team: Alisson Becker: After only one season, I consider him definitely one of the best goalkeepers in AS Roma’s history, known for his crazy reflexes and wanted by all the top clubs in the world. Waiting for his future to be defined, in my opinion it would not be easy at all to replace him. Aldair: The number 6's rightful owner, after him only worn by Strootman with his permission. “Pluto”, as he was nicknamed, mixed strength and technique, known for his leadership which led AS Roma to the conquest of the “Scudetto” in 2001. Falcao: Arrived in Rome as a normal player, he left as a champion. I personally have to thank him for my love and passion for this crazy team, known for transforming completely Roma’s way of playing, leading to the Serie A title in 1983. Radja Nainggolan: If I think about a five-a-side soccer player I think about Radja Nainggolan, he is a good ball-winner, thanks to his pace, hard-work, tenacity and strength. Nicknamed Il “Ninja” for his ability in tackles, I consider him one of the most complete midfielders in the world. Francesco Totti: “The king of Rome”, “er pupone”. There are not words that can describe his greatness and his loyalty for this club. His legend will last forever, a source of pride of all Roma fans all around the world. Definitely a nice story to tell to our grandchildren.
After the World Cup.
That was always the answer when Alisson's future was discussed by anyone close to the player. The keeper wanted to focus on the tournament with Brazil before making a decision on his future. The Russian extravaganza is now over, meaning it's time for Alisson to consider his options. And, the more you read, the more it seems that he wants to leave Roma. Liverpool and Chelsea seem to be the main contenders, the former seeming the most likely. Here is how Roma Twitter has reacted to Alisson's situation.
What side of the debate are you on?
Every Friday on Giallorossi Yorkshire, a Roma fan submits their all-time dream Roma five-a-side team. Today's team has been chosen by Ajay, the founder of the AS Roma India fan club.
Name: Ajay Menon Location: Mumbai, India Team: Alisson Becker - Sweeper Keeper. Could also play in midfield and grab an assist or two. Daniele De Rossi - Cleaning up when Alisson goes on an adventure. With DDR in a 5-a-side team, opponents can only dream of getting past him. Stephan El Shaarawy - Technically, Stephan ‘il Faraone’ is up there with the best. I bet he would be a super hit in futsal or small sided games. Francesco Totti - The leader amongst men. Nothing else to write about. Antonio Cassano - For nostalgic times when Totti and Cassano created telepathic magic on a football pitch! The 2018 World Cup final takes place in just three days' time, as France and Croatia face off for the honour of being called world champions.
It's been a strange tournament for Roma fans, with only three members of the current squad taking part. Federico Fazio was barely used by Argentina despite them looking shaky in defence, Alisson was rarely tested in Brazil's goal despite playing every minute, and Aleksandar Kolarov scored a great free kick in his side's opening game, but couldn't stop Serbia losing out in the group stages. The madness all began when Italy failed to qualify for the tournament, and with Kevin Strootman's Holland, Edin Dzeko's Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kostas Manolas' Greece just three of the other nations to miss out, it became clear that Roma wouldn't be largely represented at the World Cup. The total of three Roma players participating in the tournament was the lowest since Italia 90, when again, only three Roma players made it. However, the club have had a rich history of links with the World Cup in the past. Here is an XI of players who have won the World Cup whilst being a Roma player. GK: Guido Masetti (Italy, 1934, 1938) The only player in history to have won the World Cup twice as a Roma player, Masetti was Roma's goalkeeper between 1930 and 1943. Despite being called up to the squads, he didn't actually play in either of the tournaments. At club level, he played a big part in Roma's first ever Scudetto triumph in 1942. RB: Cafu (Brazil, 2002) One of the best players to ever represent Roma, Cafu captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002. It was his third consecutive World Cup final, having also won the tournament as a Sao Paulo player eight years earlier. CB: Aldair (Brazil, 1994) Like Cafu, he won both the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and the Scudetto with Roma in 2001. One of the first inductees to the club's Hall of Fame, Aldair made over 400 appearances for the Giallorossi. DF: Thomas Berthold (West Germany, 1990) Sandwiched between Berthold's two seasons with Roma was a World Cup victory with West Germany. Along with Roma striker Rudi Voller, the centre-back was one of two of the club's players to inspire the Germans to victory in Italy. LB: Vincent Candela (France, 1998) Three years before he inspired Roma to the 2001 Serie A title, Vincent Candela was part of the France team that won international football's top prize on home soil. Candela played in two of the matches. DM: Daniele De Rossi (Italy, 2006) In his first ever senior major tournament with Italy, a young Daniele De Rossi forged a range of memories. Despite being suspended for four of the matches after an elbow on USA's Brian McBride in the group stages, De Rossi replaced clubmate Francesco Totti in the final and went on to score a penalty in the shootout, as Italy won the competition for the fourth time. CM: Simone Perrotta (Italy, 2006) English-born Perrotta was another member of Italy's famous 2006 triumph, starting in all seven games. The midfielder had a long and successful career for both club and country, also winning the Coppa Italia twice with the Giallorossi. CM: Attilio Ferraris (Italy, 1934) Ferraris was Roma's first captain, and played more than 200 times for the club. In 1934, he helped Italy to their first ever World Cup trophy, being named in the tournament's All-Star Team for his performances, alongisde fellow Roma player Enrique Guaita. AM: Bruno Conti (Italy, 1982) One of the glistening stars of Nils Liedholm's powerful Roma side of the early 1980s, winger Bruno Conti is fondly remembered by fans. Spectacular skill and a lethal left foot, he was instrumental in Italy's victory in 1982. So much so, in fact, that Pele described him as the tournament's best player. AM: Francesco Totti (Italy, 2006) Scoring a penalty against Australia and recording a tournament-high four assists, Totti was a major influence in Italy's 2006 triumph. After recovering from an injury which saw him miss a portion of the season with Roma, he managed to start all seven games for the Azzurri, and was listed in the tournament's 23-player All-Star Team. After coming home from Germany victorious, Totti called time on his international career, and went on to play for Roma for 11 more historic seasons. ST: Rudi Voller (West Germany, 1990) Scorer of three goals in the 1990 World Cup finals, despite an unsavoury red card in the second round, Voller continued his good form in the country where he played at club level. After three seasons with Roma, Voller achieved World Cup glory in Italy, starting the final against Argentina. He spent two more seasons with Roma after, scoring just shy of 50 goals across his five-year stint with the club. Subs: Eraldo Monzeglio (Italy, 1938); Aldo Donati (Italy, 1938); Pietro Serantoni (Italy, 1938); Enrique Guaita (Italy, 1934) Following the news of Bryan Cristante's decision to wear the number 4 shirt for Roma, here's a lowdown of four iconic players to have worn the same number for the club.
Will Cristante follow in the footsteps of these all-time greats? Agostino Di Bartolomei He only wore the number 4 during one season, but it was a significant one, as Roma won their second ever Scudetto in 1982-83. The captain of that triumph was one of the club's most fondly remembered players, Agostino Di Bartolomei. Squad numbers were not compulsory in Serie A until 1995-96, so Di Bartolomei was not the only player to wear 4 in that campaign, but the number still graced the legend's back in what was an historic year. Daniele De Rossi Before he made the number 16 shirt iconic, a young De Rossi wore 4 for one season towards the start of his career. 2004-05 was the first season in which he made more than 30 appearances for the club, as he played in as many games as he had in his first three seasons with the club combined. Following his breakout year, and inspired by the date of his daughter's birthday and Roy Keane, he switched to his present 16 shirt the season after. Juan One of the best defenders to have played for Roma since the turn of the century, Juan donned the number 4 longer than any other player since squad numbers were introduced. The Brazilian made nearly 150 appearances for Roma in a five-season spell after joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2007. At the age of 39, he is still playing now in the Brazilian top flight with Flamengo - where he wears, of course, the number 4. Radja Nainggolan The man whose departure allowed Cristante to take the number 4, Nainggolan became an adopted Roman in his time at the club, thanks to his full-energy displays. Initially taking the 44 shirt when he joined in 2013, Nainggolan switched to 4 following Michael Bradley's 2014 exit. The powerful Belgian midfielder said goodbye to Roma after four-and-a-half years with the club, leaving Cristante with large boots to fill. Antonio Mirante, Roma's new goalkeeper, celebrates his 35th birthday today.
He may have been brought in as a backup, but the experienced Serie A stopper can have a major impact on this team. This summer, Roma lost two keepers. Second-choice Lukasz Skorupski left for Bologna in search of more playing time, and veteran Bogdan Lobont retired at the age of 40. The form of Alisson had frozen Skorupski out of the team, while Lobont decided it was finally time to hang up the gloves after an extensive playing career. As Skorupski headed for Bologna, Antonio Mirante came the other way. It was a shrewd signing from Roma that could go under the radar, given the high-profile acquisitions of Javier Pastore and Justin Kluivert. But Mirante can bring a lot to this team. Mirante has the right mix of attributes that means he can replace Skorupski and Lobont in one move. With eleven consecutive years of Serie A experience under his belt, he brings the knowledge and the leadership that was lost with the retirement of Lobont - something that was far more important to the club than people on the outside may have realised. But unlike Lobont, he is likely to play, offering decent competition to first-choice Alisson. Mirante has been brought in as the number two, the role played by Skorupski last season. And whilst Skorupksi was desperate to play more, it seems Mirante will be happy with his role as a backup. At this stage of his career, and at a club of this magnitude, he knows he is not expected to be the first-choice. His experience means he will accept this, in a way that a younger keeper like Skorupski, quite understandably, wouldn't have. This will allow Alisson to flourish even more as number one next season (if he stays at the club) and will give him a new mentor to learn from. We may not see much of Mirante on the pitch - he will probably be limited to Coppa Italia appearances barring any injury or suspension to Alisson - but he is a good enough keeper to rely upon when needed. He has made more than 300 appearances in those eleven consecutive years in Serie A, establishing himself as one of the league's best Italian keepers despite never being called up to the national team. He has made more than enough saves during that time to show his quality. When he signed for Roma, he admitted that this is the "right moment in my career" to make this step. Mirante acknowledges the role he has been brought in to play, but is also well aware of the qualities he can bring to the pitch when required. He also adds to the Italian influence in the team, which has been lacking a little over the past few seasons. Mirante's signing may not bring the same hype as the likes of Pastore, Kluivert or even Cristante, but the effect that he can have on Roma should not be underestimated. Tanti auguri, Antonio. Every Friday on Giallorossi Yorkshire, a Roma fan selects their all-time dream five-a-side team made up of Roma players. Today's team has been chosen by Nir Maoz.
Name: Nir Maoz Location: Haifa, Israel Team: In goal, Alisson. We have never had a keeper like him before, world class. Defence, Cafu. Great player, but picked completely for the Sombrero on Nedved. Midfield, Daniele De Rossi. No one bosses the midfield, stopping the opposition like prime DdR, even to this day. The attackers, Antonio Cassano and, of course, Francesco Totti. Pure magic between them, sparks that could break any opponent, and do it with style and some crazy moves, I did say Cassano. Hope you enjoyed my choices. Forza Roma |
samuel bannister
Founder and editor of Giallorossi Yorkshire, who is also a columnist for Roma's official website about the women's team. Categories
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