Hardly suprising for us playing a game against Roma with hard knocks and cards flying everywhere. And this game is no exception as well. For once I thought we played ok, but since this is a do-or-die game, we must definitely win this game. However we only scored from a penalty, and I bet Spalletti got his plan worked out again. In this game 2 players are sent off, Zlatan and the good old red card king, Olivier Dacourt. We really need to win Roma by 2 goals to advance, yet we still can't kill the similar 11 which we played at Delle Alpi.
Abbiati - Saved a wonderful Totti free kick. Besides from that he is ok, but I will say definitely better compared to the 1st leg. Abbiati is definitely 1 of the most underrated goalkeepers in the world, and his performance is so good that it is confirmed that he will go back to Milan at the end of the season. 6
Zebina - Did an ok job marking Mancini, however he is injured again. Gives Moggi another reason to sell him and to make a decent replacement. 6
Thuram - Another ok performance for him, at least better than his recent games. 6
Cananvaro - Did a good job marking his good friend Totti. A normal game, except that Totti isn't easy to mark. 6
Balzaretti - Perhaps it is the 1st time he played in a game where 2 teams hate each other that he wasn't that steady at the start. However as the game progresses, his performance improves. A good start to get used to playing at Olympico 6.
Vieira - This time he got it right. He makes passes that r very nice. With 1 midfielder less in Roma, he is able to make solid passes. Unfortunate not to score the goal though. Nonetheless fabulous play by the hardman from Arsenal. Keep it up! 7
Giannichedda - A defensive midfielder who did within his duties. Was pretty ok from what I expect of him. 6
Mutu - Played at the wrong position and wasted in the wing position again. But it is a consolation for him to convert the penalty. He SHOULD HAVE played in the centre or as a support striker time and time again. 6
Nedved - Not his day again. And he is concentrated in killing Totti rather than playing football. 5.5
Zalayeta - As I stated time and time again he really needs some playing time. He is playing as a lone striker and he can't do anything alone. Zala needs to get some playing time to warm his reflexes and to work well with his teammates to get a goal. Even though I know that he doesn't mind sitting on the bench, but he is still a football player and definitely needs to play. Since he can't contribue, I wouldn't really blame him for the blunders. At most I would give you 5.5
Zlatan - Sent off @ the 19th minute. Cannot judge anything.
Subs
Zambrotta - One of the most active players in the night, attacking from the left and the right and supplying crosses. Couldn't ask much more from him 6.5
Emerson - Are you only replacing Gianni in his position and play his role? 6
Del Piero - Unable to contribute much. Shouldn't be played as a lone striker but a support striker 5.5
Capello - You keep on stressing how much that you want to win everything. So people will assume that you want to win the Coppa as well. Again you get your tactics all wrong. It is ok if we r playing the Serie A, but in this case you have to attack from the start to the end! You played Nedved and Mutu out of position again, and the worse is, putting DP as a lone striker. What is this? Do u think DP is tall enough to handle long balls and control them? He is not a physical player like Toni. And putting Zala instead of the in-form Trezeguet on goal to achieve your "aim". Your r really contradicting yourself. Shouldn't u do something to pump the attack when Zlatan is sent off? If we played with 4-3-2, we can at least create more trouble in the Roma half. Aren't attacking the only way to win or even the scoreline when the team desperately needs goals? What is worse, you blam the referee. Come on, referees are humans too and they do make mistakes, but can u shift the blame to him alone? This is just pushing the blame. 4.5
