AS Roma 1 – FC Basel 3 – Post match comments and some observations (Part 2)
Ranieri should play Fabio Simplicio far more regularly in the Roma team. The Brazilian was in inspired form with Palermo last time around. Following his return from injury, the player has been used only sparingly by Ranieri. With the likes of Pizarro and
De Rossi struggling with injuries. Simplicio must be given a run-in with the first team. The player has the stamina and the energy levels to match that of any current Gilarossi midfielder and would come handy against weaker oppositions. Ranieri will be able
to afford the luxury of resting De Rossi and Pizarro, should Simplicio find his feet at Stadio Olimpico
Totti and Borriello are just fine, leading the Gilarossi line. The two are slowly forming a lethal partnership upfront. Marco Borriello might be slow off the pace, but his finishing abilities are certainly of the highest quality. The chipped goal that Borriello
scored clearly showed the confidence the former Rossoneri hit man has accumulated early in to his Roman career. As for Totti, he is an irreplaceable genius. The player has an extraterrestrial football brain. Er Pupone’s genius flick to set up Borriello was
one of the best assists so far this season.
Stefano Okaka Chuka clearly isn’t in the first team plans. One is left to wonder just what a player of his potential is doing rotting on the bench. Chuka will be an undoubted starter with the likes of Chievo Verona and Bari. Gilarossi take pride in developing
their youth and making them first team players. Chuka should be loaned out for a season or two as with likes of Vucinic and Menez ahead of him in the pecking order from the bench, the player will just hamper his growth.
AS Roma can still qualify for the next round and failure to qualify for the next round will be a huge financial blow for the club. CFR Cluj, FC Basel and Roma all have three points but Gilarossi stand last in Group E with a goal difference of -3. Roma has
the quality to register away victories against both the Romanian and Swiss oppositions. Even a victory against Bavarian giants Bayern Munich isn’t out of question as Roma will have the home advantage. With De Rossi and Pizarro back to full fitness, the club
will have a completely different approach to their play.
On a closing note, losing to Basel isn’t the best of results and such a defeat can force even the strongest of men to question their credentials. Agreed the team has dug itself a monstrous hole with this poor result, however, only the Romans can pull themselves
out of this misery. The next time Gilarossi take to the pitch, Ranieri might not even be the coach. The situation at the club is as uncertain as it can get. However, Gilarossi always come to their best in face of such adversity. Nothing different should be
expected from the Roman gladiators and certainly don’t but your money on Roma failing to qualify for the next round.
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