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Calcio Debate: Roma v Milan - The Key Personal Battles
It's third against second at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night and Goal.com's Subhankar Mondal looks at the key individual duels.....
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £32.00 | Draw £32.00 | Roma £22.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £33.00 | Draw £31.00 | Roma £23.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £32.00 | Draw £31.00 | Roma £22.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £31.00 | Draw £32.50 | Roma £23.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Siena £29.00 | Draw £31.00 | Roma £23.00 |
|
Mar 5, 2010 11:30:00 AM
By Subhankar Mondal
LUCA TONI v ALESSANDRO NESTA
Luca Toni has been injured in recent times but could be set for a surprise start against Milan on Saturday night. The giant Italian international striker has scored twice in four league appearances since joining them from Bayern Munich in January on loan until the end of the 2009-10 season. The 32-year-old was thought to be 'finished' when he was booted out of Bavaria but Claudio Ranieri embraced the player as he thought that he would add a different dimension to their game. Toni might not have pace or even the tricks to hoodwink his markers, but his positional sense is superb. Toni's ability to hold the ball upfront and to use his towering figure to head in crosses will be key aspects of his game against Milan and those that central defenders Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva will have to be aware of.
Alessandro Nesta has been a colossus for Milan at the heart of their defence and it is no secret that he has been their best player defensively this season. Nesta failed to combat Wayne Rooney in the Champions League recently but he will look to smother the threat posed by Toni. Nesta too has struggled with injuries in recent years but his tactical reading of the game and technical abilities in holding the backline together are legendary. With Thiago Silva to help him in central defence, Nesta could emerge the winner in nullifying Toni in Rome.
DANIELE DE ROSSI v ANDREA PIRLO
Daniele De Rossi is a unique player who is close to being regarded as a complete midfielder: he can pass the ball accurately from long distance and short range, make heavy tackles and challenges, help out the defenders, surge forward and take good freekicks. Combating a Milan midfield that relies on team cohesiveness and one that struggles to cope with pace and counter-attacks, De Rossi's work rate and physical stamina will be crucial.
Andrea Pirlo will be a direct challenger to De Rossi on Saturday night. Pirlo's form has not been exactly consistent this campaign but for a player who was thought to be done and dusted, the 30-year-old has his inspired moments. Pirlo will attempt to supply the passes for the forward line and it will be interesting to see how he copes with De Rossi. Pirlo's vision and ability to pick out teammates from 50 miles afar are legendary but De Rossi has the edge in being the more mobile and quicker of the two.
NICOLAS BURDISSO v RONALDINHO
There have always been question marks on the Argentine's ability, but, unlike at Inter, Nicolas Burdisso has been excellent at Roma this season. The stopper is expected to play at right back on Saturday where he will be up against the one and only Ronaldinho. Burdisso is not very keen on marauding forward runs, which will help in pushing himself back when needed against the Brazilian and although there is a distinct suspicion that he will lose this battle, if he gets the help from his fellow defenders and midfielder, he could trim Ronnie's effect to a reasonable extent.
Ronaldinho provided two assists in their 3-1 win against Atalanta last weekend, just as he had given two assists in their 2-1 defeat of Fiorentina. Ronnie has scored nine times in Serie A so far this campaign but more importantly has 12 assists to his name. The 29-year-old will again be at the heart of every creative move that Milan will craft. Ronnie has been in scintillating form this campaign and he will certainly look to carry that on. Ronaldinho doesn't run too much with the ball but uses his God-gifted technique and skills with marvelous effect.
MIRKO VUCINIC v MATHIEU FLAMINI
Mirko Vucinic has scored five goals and given five assists, besides helping in countless attacks and moves. The Montenegrin has not been among the goals too much this campaign but he has cut a very vital figure along the left side. Vucinic usually features as a support striker and his runs along the flank and his crosses will be significant for Roma. Milan have looked vulnerable at the fullback positions and Vucinic's pace and movements could make him a stand-out player.
Mathieu Flamini will be a vital cog in the midfield for Milan and he will need to ensure that Vucinic doesn't get a free run on the Milan goal. The Frenchman has not played regularly for the Rossoneri since joining them from Arsenal in 2008 and this campaign has been handed only nine starts in Serie A but his presence in the midfield will be key.
CLAUDIO RANIERI v LEONARDO
Claudio Ranieri is a joke among many football journalists and indeed some of his tactics and his attitude do justify the ridicule he earns. However, this campaign he has been marvelous for Roma, whom he took over when they were struggling in the bottom half of the table. Roma were on a great unbeaten run but their defeat to Panathinaikos in Greece in the Europa League ended that sequence. At one point Roma were up to second in the table and at the moment are third. But the problem is that Ranieri is often happy with second-best, which means he does not have a winning mentality that in turn transfers onto his team.
Leonardo was on the verge of the sack just two months into the season but since the end of September he has turned things around. Initially the Brazilian tinkered with formation and tactics but now that he has discovered a 4-3-3 formation that often breaks into a 4-2-1-3 system, the Rossoneri are more stable and more coherent. Leonardo is a rookie coach and is in his first season in Milan but it is turning out to be better than most people had predicted. Milan are second in the table and Leonardo will be eager to mastermind a win against Roma on Saturday night to pile up more pressure on cityrivals and league leaders Inter.
Luca Toni has been injured in recent times but could be set for a surprise start against Milan on Saturday night. The giant Italian international striker has scored twice in four league appearances since joining them from Bayern Munich in January on loan until the end of the 2009-10 season. The 32-year-old was thought to be 'finished' when he was booted out of Bavaria but Claudio Ranieri embraced the player as he thought that he would add a different dimension to their game. Toni might not have pace or even the tricks to hoodwink his markers, but his positional sense is superb. Toni's ability to hold the ball upfront and to use his towering figure to head in crosses will be key aspects of his game against Milan and those that central defenders Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva will have to be aware of.
Alessandro Nesta has been a colossus for Milan at the heart of their defence and it is no secret that he has been their best player defensively this season. Nesta failed to combat Wayne Rooney in the Champions League recently but he will look to smother the threat posed by Toni. Nesta too has struggled with injuries in recent years but his tactical reading of the game and technical abilities in holding the backline together are legendary. With Thiago Silva to help him in central defence, Nesta could emerge the winner in nullifying Toni in Rome.
DANIELE DE ROSSI v ANDREA PIRLO
Daniele De Rossi is a unique player who is close to being regarded as a complete midfielder: he can pass the ball accurately from long distance and short range, make heavy tackles and challenges, help out the defenders, surge forward and take good freekicks. Combating a Milan midfield that relies on team cohesiveness and one that struggles to cope with pace and counter-attacks, De Rossi's work rate and physical stamina will be crucial.
Andrea Pirlo will be a direct challenger to De Rossi on Saturday night. Pirlo's form has not been exactly consistent this campaign but for a player who was thought to be done and dusted, the 30-year-old has his inspired moments. Pirlo will attempt to supply the passes for the forward line and it will be interesting to see how he copes with De Rossi. Pirlo's vision and ability to pick out teammates from 50 miles afar are legendary but De Rossi has the edge in being the more mobile and quicker of the two.
NICOLAS BURDISSO v RONALDINHO
There have always been question marks on the Argentine's ability, but, unlike at Inter, Nicolas Burdisso has been excellent at Roma this season. The stopper is expected to play at right back on Saturday where he will be up against the one and only Ronaldinho. Burdisso is not very keen on marauding forward runs, which will help in pushing himself back when needed against the Brazilian and although there is a distinct suspicion that he will lose this battle, if he gets the help from his fellow defenders and midfielder, he could trim Ronnie's effect to a reasonable extent.
Ronaldinho provided two assists in their 3-1 win against Atalanta last weekend, just as he had given two assists in their 2-1 defeat of Fiorentina. Ronnie has scored nine times in Serie A so far this campaign but more importantly has 12 assists to his name. The 29-year-old will again be at the heart of every creative move that Milan will craft. Ronnie has been in scintillating form this campaign and he will certainly look to carry that on. Ronaldinho doesn't run too much with the ball but uses his God-gifted technique and skills with marvelous effect.
MIRKO VUCINIC v MATHIEU FLAMINI
Mirko Vucinic has scored five goals and given five assists, besides helping in countless attacks and moves. The Montenegrin has not been among the goals too much this campaign but he has cut a very vital figure along the left side. Vucinic usually features as a support striker and his runs along the flank and his crosses will be significant for Roma. Milan have looked vulnerable at the fullback positions and Vucinic's pace and movements could make him a stand-out player.
Mathieu Flamini will be a vital cog in the midfield for Milan and he will need to ensure that Vucinic doesn't get a free run on the Milan goal. The Frenchman has not played regularly for the Rossoneri since joining them from Arsenal in 2008 and this campaign has been handed only nine starts in Serie A but his presence in the midfield will be key.
CLAUDIO RANIERI v LEONARDO
Claudio Ranieri is a joke among many football journalists and indeed some of his tactics and his attitude do justify the ridicule he earns. However, this campaign he has been marvelous for Roma, whom he took over when they were struggling in the bottom half of the table. Roma were on a great unbeaten run but their defeat to Panathinaikos in Greece in the Europa League ended that sequence. At one point Roma were up to second in the table and at the moment are third. But the problem is that Ranieri is often happy with second-best, which means he does not have a winning mentality that in turn transfers onto his team.
Leonardo was on the verge of the sack just two months into the season but since the end of September he has turned things around. Initially the Brazilian tinkered with formation and tactics but now that he has discovered a 4-3-3 formation that often breaks into a 4-2-1-3 system, the Rossoneri are more stable and more coherent. Leonardo is a rookie coach and is in his first season in Milan but it is turning out to be better than most people had predicted. Milan are second in the table and Leonardo will be eager to mastermind a win against Roma on Saturday night to pile up more pressure on cityrivals and league leaders Inter.
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