... When he's in the mood, which is maybe only half the time. For a team that often plays with 2 CMs, he is too slow and lacks athleticism, and most importantly, he dwells on the ball too long so often and loses possession.
This is what AS Roma coach Claudio Ranieri told television network RAI after the 1-3 loss against Inter in the Italian Supercup : "We played well in the beginning and until early in the second half when I had to replace our playmaker David Pizarro. It's hard to have balance in midfield without him. I feel that we did not deserve to lose and I do not blame my players for the disappointing result. We need to improve and I am sure that the club officials will sign a couple of new players before August 31. .... It will be harder to beat Inter in the new season because their coach Rafael Benitez has brought more tactical awareness and discipline to his team".
I wouldn't go that far. But he certainly is quality.
This was one of the players that should have been bought under Moggi. But instead, we had a maniac manager at the helm who only cared about DM's and prehistoric football, where only lethargic play was encouraged from top down. Players like Blasi were considered gods to the nutjob manager, along with certain keepers who rewarded sloths with a free lunch. Who gives a fuck about creativity when we can just let the opposition's keeper provide us with opportunities.
I guess the one fitting thing from Calciopoli is that the nutjob lost out in the end, squandering probably one of the greatest Juve squads ever assembled in competition for trophies on a continental scale. In reality, with the team we had, performances like the ones seen against Bremen, Liverpool and Arsenal deserve the loss of titles in the domestic league. It was really that sad.
I think a few years ago he was one of the best midfielders in Europe and one of the most complete. He has not been on top form for a couple of years now. I would agree that he is overrated, in the sense that he is considered Roma's best player, best midfielder, when Pizarro has been better than him for a while now.
Da, Pizarro is their key in midfield, without him they are clueless. So far De Rossi had one great season (2006 IIRC) and other than that, he was average. Far from being top 3 DMs in the World and far from being Roma's key player. His passing is far from being special too. When he started playing for Roma he was very good and showing lots of promise but after that one season everything went downhill.
I do like that guy, but no way he deserves all those prises.
FI
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Almost as funny as the De Rossi dissing in here.. The guy is easily THE most complete midfielder in Europe. Yes he has gone missing in a few important matches, but there is no midfielder out there like him.
But the way, Pizzaro wasn't even close to Aquilani when the latter was still at Roma..