Francesco Totti - Il Gladiatore di Roma

Josh_MU: I'm sorry Josh_MonkeyUrine, the team just isn't invincible...yet

Justice: Thanks Niko, that graphic is awesome

pompeyblue: Unbeaten in the league, that's all that counts

Now that AS Roma have finally regained their lead in Serie A after a series of positive results, things have seemingly turned for the worse. Francesco Totti's front line has taken a serious hit as star strikers Mattia Destro and Alvaro Morata will both miss four weeks with a pulled hamstring and a dislocated jaw respectively.

This could not have come at a worse time for the two strikers as they had both been in great form, especially Destro who had scored 5 goals in his last 6 games, striking up a deadly partnership with Ljajic with Pjanic in behind them.

This comes at a difficult time for the Giallorossi rotation-wise as well as they prepare for a busy 5 game December followed by a jam-packed 8 match January, and with Francesco Totti himself and Adem Ljajic the only two fit strikers remaining, things may get difficult and players may tire.

On the plus side, 16 year old striker Valerio Di Stefano may get bled into the first team. The Sassuolo youth product joined Roma at the start of this season and has been on a tear for the U20 team despite his age, averaging a goal every game. Though he is not quite first team caliber at only 16, he may just get a few minutes to keep his fellow strikers healthy for more important games.

Totti could also go for a tactical switch, shifting Ljajic to the left wing and perhaps giving little-used Marco D'Alessandro some time on the right wing and using Pjanic as a false nine type of striker. Whatever tactic the Giallorossi use to deal with these absences, they will certainly be counting down the days for their prolific forwards to return.

Quick Links
Last Update
Next Update

When you want to be maintaining your lead, not the things you want good luck

You may as well give up if you have injury problems like that...

#DareToJose #ParkTheBus #MonthLongParkingTicket

Jack: Most definitely not. Hopefully my backups can do the job for now

Nathaniel: I'll have you know that my bus fines are all paid, I never am fined for where I park it

#FMKnows, you'll find a way to cope, or your weren't supposed to win in the first place. In all honesty, good luck, I hate bein out of players and down to bare bones.

squirmy420: Yes, injury problems are the worst. However, I must keep faith... #FMKnows

The Derby del Sole is always a bitterly fought contest. Though many people don't recognize the rivalry as one of Italy's fiercest, it always brings together two of the country's best attacking teams in a clash of style, philosophy, and dedicated footballers.

The rivalry has grown even fiercer over the last few years, with Roma having purchased star goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis and ex-Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro from the Azzurri for a measly total of about €2m, enraging Napoli fans and boosting the strength and depth of the Giallorossi team as the capital city side stormed to the domestic double last season.

At the Stadio San Paolo in Naples, however, Luciano Spalleti's men were licking their lips. Roma were without two of their best strikers in Mattia Destro and Alvaro Morata, and with both left backs Dodo and Federico Balzaretti suspended, the not-so-pacy Leandro Castan was starting at left back. Perhaps Napoli could finally beat Totti's Roma...but not if Adem Ljajic had anything to say about it.

The Serbian attacker made all the difference in this game. Early in the first half, Ljajic scored the first of his brace in a cross-field give and go with Sebastian Corchia. The striker fed the ball wide to the fullback at around midfield before making a lungbusting run into the box to tap in Corchia's cross at the back post 10 seconds later.

Marek Hamsik, Gonzalo Higauin and the Napoli men stormed back throughout the game but could not find a way to consistently break down AS Roma's defensive combination of Benatia and Jedvaj with De Rossi sitting in front of them. Even when Higuain did create a shot for himself, Begovic was always there to make the save, including a superb reaction to a Hamsik header midway through the first half.

In the second half the Giallorossi regained control, and toward the end of the match Adem Ljajic scored his second goal of the evening and sealed the three points for his team. Having been beautifully chipped in behind the defense by a mercurial pass from Nuri Sahin, the Serb contemptuously rounded the goalkeeper Rafael and dribbled the ball into the net, silencing the Stadio San Paolo.

After this crucial derby victory, Roma have stayed atop the Serie A standings, 3 points clear of Inter Milan in second. AC Milan sit a full 8 points back in third, but with two games in hand the Rossoneri could also prove a threat to the Giallorossi's title aspiration as time goes on. The full league table is as follows:


Quick Links
Last Update
Next Update

Great update as per usual Neal! It's always great to beat your rivals ;).

Josh_MU: There is no better feeling than beating those you hate

Great win especially against rivals!
But let's be honest, nobody can stop the mighty Roma

pompeyblue: I love beating Napoli, and yes, right now we are unstoppable

UDINESE 0-2 ROMA (SERIE A)
PJANIC (x2)
PJANIC)

ROMA 3-0 BATE (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
LJAJIC (x3)
LJAJIC

ROMA 0-0 SASSUOLO (SERIE A)
ACERBI

ROMA 2-0 PADOVA (COPPA ITALIA)
D'ALESSANDRO, PJANIC
CORCHIA

PESCARA 0-0 ROMA (SERIE A)
DE SANCTIS

It was a more difficult month than anticipated for AS Roma. The capital city side dropped points in the Serie A at home to lowly Sassuolo before struggling to another draw at this season's surprise package Delfino Pescara, and only managing that thanks to some spectacular saves by backup goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

There were certainly positives to take out of the month, however. Adem Ljajic delivered perhaps the performance of the season thus far against BATE Borisov in the UEFA Champions League, netting a perfect hattrick, having scored once with each foot and with his head. Miralem Pjanic has also put in a couple of outstanding performances and finished the month with 3 goals and 2 assists.

The month certainly highlighted a major weakness in Roma's attack, however; whenever the opposition could shut down Pjanic and Ljajic, nobody else looked likely to create a chance or score a goal. Valerio Di Stefano seemed to young and Francesco Totti a bit too old. Giallorossi fans are likely anxiously anticipating the returns of Mattia Destro and Alvaro Morata.

Defensively, though, things looked perfect. The Romans did not concede a single goal in all five of their matches, with Mehdi Benatia and Paolo Cannavaro the preferred pairing due to their great form. Leandro Castan, despite being a center back by nature, has also thoroughly impressed at left back, filling in for the injured Federico Balzaretti.

At the end of the month, despite the dropped points, AS Roma have maintained their lead atop Serie A. Underdogs Delfino Pescara have surprisingly found themselves sitting pretty in second place, with Inter Milan not far behind.

In the Champions League, Roma finished top of their group and will hope for a favorable draw come the first round of the knockout stages. Next month could be difficult, as Totti and his men will have to play a full 8 fixtures amongst the stress of transfer time.


Quick Links
Last Update
Next Update

Not the best picking up two 0-0 draws but you were still unbeaten yet again and won three games too!
As ever a very detailed update, and a great read

pompeyblue: Yeah it was annoying to draw a few times butt he wins were good and we are still doing alright