Selasa, 23 Desember 2008
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With Juventus and FC Internazionale Milano's passage into the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League already assured, can AS Roma make it three Italian clubs in the draw on 19 December by avoiding defeat against FC Girondins de Bordeaux?
Poor start
It's been a peculiar season for the Giallorossi, whose domestic campaign got off to a terrible start in the form of six defeats in their first nine Serie A matches. Coach Luciano Spalletti, who had struggled to secure his preferred transfer targets in the summer, came under even further pressure when his side lost two of their opening three matches in Europe's premier club competition.
Chelsea triumph
However, Roma's unexpected 3-1 defeat of Chelsea FC on 4 November stopped the rot and following a further 3-1 win at CFR 1907 Cluj, the club from the Eternal City now find themselves top of their pool and a point away from continuing a European journey which they hope will end at their very own Stadio Olmpico on 27 May next year. The question is, can they hold off Bordeaux? The French outfit's 4-0 and 3-1 losses to Chelsea and Roma in their first two group games suggested Laurent Blanc's men were out of their depth at this level, but much like the wine from their region, Bordeaux appear to be improving with time.
Bordeaux run
Since their defeat by Roma, Blanc's men have lost just once in 13 matches - to Olympique Lyonnais. They have beaten CFR Cluj twice, held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw and, inspired by the prodigious 22-year-old AC Milan loanee Yoann Gourcuff – himself developing into a player of fine vintage – Bordeaux will prove a tough proposition on Tuesday.
Talismanic Totti
But Roma will be turning to a creative force of their own for the visit of the Ligue 1 side. It is no surprise that Roma's recent revival has coincided with the return from injury of Francesco Totti. Their charismatic captain has scored five goals in the last six matches and provided the leadership and charisma required to guide his side out of the dark. Another authoritative performance from the talismanic Totti will surely be enough to earn a point for the Italian side, or will it?
Poor start
It's been a peculiar season for the Giallorossi, whose domestic campaign got off to a terrible start in the form of six defeats in their first nine Serie A matches. Coach Luciano Spalletti, who had struggled to secure his preferred transfer targets in the summer, came under even further pressure when his side lost two of their opening three matches in Europe's premier club competition.
Chelsea triumph
However, Roma's unexpected 3-1 defeat of Chelsea FC on 4 November stopped the rot and following a further 3-1 win at CFR 1907 Cluj, the club from the Eternal City now find themselves top of their pool and a point away from continuing a European journey which they hope will end at their very own Stadio Olmpico on 27 May next year. The question is, can they hold off Bordeaux? The French outfit's 4-0 and 3-1 losses to Chelsea and Roma in their first two group games suggested Laurent Blanc's men were out of their depth at this level, but much like the wine from their region, Bordeaux appear to be improving with time.
Bordeaux run
Since their defeat by Roma, Blanc's men have lost just once in 13 matches - to Olympique Lyonnais. They have beaten CFR Cluj twice, held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw and, inspired by the prodigious 22-year-old AC Milan loanee Yoann Gourcuff – himself developing into a player of fine vintage – Bordeaux will prove a tough proposition on Tuesday.
Talismanic Totti
But Roma will be turning to a creative force of their own for the visit of the Ligue 1 side. It is no surprise that Roma's recent revival has coincided with the return from injury of Francesco Totti. Their charismatic captain has scored five goals in the last six matches and provided the leadership and charisma required to guide his side out of the dark. Another authoritative performance from the talismanic Totti will surely be enough to earn a point for the Italian side, or will it?
Diposting oleh
Boz_Tanx
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