Francesco Totti - Il Gladiatore di Roma

Congrats

Congrats on the milestone, don't party too hard

Thanks you two, and don't worry Niko, I always party too hard

2014-01-30 15:03#157771 Neal : and don't worry Niko, I always party too hard

lol.

Good luck in the final. I will bring the flares to the real party #NoPyroNoParty

Congrats on 10,000 views

Walter: I got them fireworks like Balotelli

pompeyblue: Thanks!

10,000 views, that's amazing! Good luck in final, mate, I'm sure you'll win!

Cosmin: Thanks bud, I hope so!

Despite scoring only 1 goal in their last 3 matches (and duly picking up 5 points from a possible 9), AS Roma have in fact moved further away from Juventus and are now the sole leaders of Serie A on 60 points. AC Milan sits second with 59 and Juve in third with 58.

It’s been a rather barren spell for Roma’s offense, but nobody seems to know why. With Totti and Ljajic finally both healthy again to continue their deadly strike partnership, it seems that goals have become hard to come by after earlier winning form. No goals away from home during this three match stretch again show Roma’s weakness.

Away to Sassuolo, most people expected the Giallorossi to finish triumphant. However, an early bath for Maicon after the Brazilian fullback was shown a straight red card for a poor tackle changed the momentum of the match. Roma finished with only 40% possession and eventually 9 men after Ljajic came off injured with 2 minutes to go (thankfully nothing long term).

The league leaders followed this display with a strong win over a resilient Livorno side at the Olimpico. The Giallorossi managed 12 shots on target and over 60% possession but an inspired Francesco Bardi could only be beaten once, by Gervinho 7 minutes into the match, and so Roma took an unflattering 1-0 win for their dominance.

Udinese proved a very difficult nut to crack indeed. The Stadio Friuli is always one of the hardest grounds in all of Italy to visit and Udinese is next to impossible to beat there. Roma’s front three struggled to create opportunities or carve upon the defense of Mehdi Benatia’s ex club. Another 0-0 draw ensued.

Juventus, however, one upped Roma and managed 3 straight draws, falling 2 points behind the capital city side while also getting knocked out of the UEFA Champions League on penalties to Marseille, a few weeks that Antonio Conte’s men will surely want to forget quickly.

AC Milan seized the advantage, however, and won three straight games, elevating the Rossoneri into second place. Massimiliano Allegri’s side have now won eight straight games, an excellent record bolstered by the goalscoring exploits of Alessandro Matri and the ever-enigmatic Mario Balotelli.

“While these may not have been the best results nor even performances, the important thing is that we are top of the table,” said player-manager Francesco Totti. “We want to take maximum points from our next three matches in anticipation of the derby with Lazio and continue to cement our position atop the league.”

Those three matches will be home to Parma, away to Cagliari, and then again home at the Olimpico to take on Genoa. After that, Roma will play archrivals Lazio in the Derby della Capitale, the first rivalry of the season ending a dramatic 1-1 draw.

The Giallorossi’s chances of taking maximum points will surely be boosted by finally having a fit squad again. Francesco Totti has only recently returned to playing duties while Marco Borriello and Kevin Strootman are also once again fit after multiple month injury hiatuses.

“Marco and Kevin are important players for us and their returns come at a key time in the season for us,” said Totti. “Now we are once again 100% fit and have every player available, and that is when we are most dangerous.”

There are 11 weeks of football left, and Totti and his men sit only 1 point clear. Roma haven’t won the Scudetto in 13 years, and have finished runners up no less than 6 times in the process. Will it be lucky 13 for AS Roma as they hold on to the title, or will the Giallorossi once again crumble in the late stages? The title race is on.

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It is impressive how you can lose points but still pull clear good going

It would have been better to win all the games, but it's ok, there are no doubts that the wins are going to come.

jasonvilla4ever: More lucky than impressive

Cosmin: Yes hopefully we start to pick up 3 points more often!

A poor month. Haha, just keep pushing on ey? Get that title in the bag!

It's always nice to see people get the milestones they deserve. Nice work Neal. suk my tits.

A decent month but good to move clear at the top of the table