talk2smc
14-06-2008, 02:24 AM
AS Roma ALL TIME XI?
in the transfer thread, Jorquera, roma_barca, and I were speaking of Vincenzo Montella and how he was so vital to Roma, and a huge fan favorite, so i thought maybe Roma fans would want to weigh in on Roma's all time best players, or your favorite players throughout Roma's history.
Channel4 puts the all time XI here:
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/alltime/romaxi.html
for me, im going to post my all time XI, but as i have only been watching since Totti (in 92, im only 24:o), certain notable players in our history will be omitted. for instance Bruno Conti wont be on my list, not because he doesnt desvere it, but because i didnt really know him as a player, only watch videos of him play, never live matches. so i probably cant accurately weigh in on his career, etc. Ancelotti, Pruzzo, Falcao, Di Bartolomei etc wont be there, but id love to hear what everyone's XI is, and perhaps older fans would most certainly include those players:)
remember, for me, since 92;)
Keeper:
Doni 2005-present
i know he is relatively young in terms of his Roma career. but i think he is the best i have seen for us. i love the fact that until recently he was making very little $ for us, but still pledged his future to Roma, said he and his family loved it here. i have loved watching him debut in the Derby, and go from relatively unheard of, to Brazil's no. 1/2 with Cesar. i really hope he stays at Roma for the remainder of his career, it will mean having a solid custodian well past 2012. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donieber_Alexander_Marangon
Defenders:
Cafu 1997-2003
who doesnt love Il Pendolino:) gotta give him respect for still playing at a high level as well (tho i think now he is heading back to Brazil to finish up his career). loved watching 00-01 and his forward runs bumbling down that wing for a cross or dribble into the box. cant remember him representing himself poorly either, he was to me, always a great representative of the sport. and in the true aura of Brazilian football, always had fun when playing the game.
check out those honors too, only the 03 SuperCoppa and 01 Scudetto with Roma, but still, great career. also most capped player ever for Brazil, surprised me finding that out tbh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafu
Aldair 1990-2003
well, 3 players in and all Brazilians, tells you a little bit about our history doesnt it:o. how can you not include our only retired shirt, the no. 6. a class defender, WC winner, and dont forget, our last captain before Totti:eek: seems so long ago, but he is still playing in San Marino. loved watching the center of our back 3 during the Capello days. cant pick out a goal of his that stands out, but i remember a few nice ones from headers. shame he played when i was younger, i would have loved to watch him in his prime when i was little older and would remember more, but still loved the guy even late on in his career. 415 total appearances speaks for itself doesnt it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldair
Phillippe Mexes 2004-present
perhaps a controversial pick, as he cost us a year of transfers, and used to be quite temperamental early on for us. but right now- if i am choosing a starting defender for a best in the world XI- hes starting centerback. its crazy to me he has only appeared for France 8 times since 2002, but for us he has been our backbone for some time now. i also admire his commitment to us among many links and opportunities to leave for more $ (Man U, Milan). a knack for scoring important goals, (this years Coppa final, opening goal of the season, etc) he gives blood sweat and tears for us. coming up on his 100th appearance for us, i hope he will stay for many many more. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexes
Christian Panucci 2001-present
I know im making an exception since Cafu and Panucci were both primarily RB's, but have to include Panucci in here even if he is less effective at LB. effective as a starter, comes in as a sub to change a game. reignited his NT career while with Roma, he simply is a great defender and still has legs to run the flank and put in a cross to someone's head. had his best years under Capello, ive always loved his knack for scoring winners both for us and the NT (just ask Scotland;)). love his fiery temper at 35 to those youngsters in Serie A who try to dribble around him or thru him and find themselves on the pitch with the ball at his feet;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Panucci
Midfielders:
Vincent Candela 1997-2005
ok, ok, i know he was mostly a LB, but he always found his way into the midfield, and was always forward and attack minded. if i remember correctly some matches he even started in the mid. a little like Chivu in that way. but he was a player who i enjoyed watching, loved the relationship between him and Totti as well, especially in contrast to Totti's and Cassano's:mad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Candela
Daniele De Rossi 2002-present
what can i say? 24, 34 caps for Italy already and a WC medal, 155 appearances for Roma, plays almost every match now. he is huge. hes the best in the business at what he does playing just in front of the back 4, and every match you can see him giving everything he has to the shirt. to me, he truly embodies what it means to play for Roma. i think that if you told him youd give him a minimum contract he would still play for us. the PK v. Genoa this past season and his celebration shows his love for Roma imo. future captain, building block of Roma's and Italy's midfield, cant think of a future Roma without him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniele_De_Rossi
Damiano Tommasi
always admired the player, seemed to be a great fan favorite, and did alot of tireless off the ball work from what i remember for us. i could be wrong, but in my recollection he was alot like Gattuso, a ball winner, tireless worker, tracking down balls in the 90th minute type guy. have to respect that, especially his last year he was doing it all for what a regular Roma employee was making. class player, and a great example of how to play the game and how to represent yourself
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damiano_Tommasi
Forwards:
Gabriel Batistuta 2000-2003
loved watching Batigol for la Viola, and was very excited when he came to Roma. he was probably the best pure goalscorer we have ever had. i always felt forwards like him were perfect matches for Totti as they would always play their best with service from Francesco. 30 goals in 63 appearances for Roma is just about one every other game which is immense. fell off towards the end with us, but that first season, 00-01 for so many reasons was memorable, but 20 goals was fantastic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batistuta
Francesco Totti 1992-present
well im not going to go into a long tribute to my hero:p, i will simply say he is the reason i began watching football, he is why i love Roma, he is why i love the Italy NT. never gets the respect he deserves, and often criticized for his commitment to Roma, he suffered thru the difficult years, and brought us to and inspired us during the great years. if i were a professional footballer, the way he plays the game is the way i would want to attempt to play it. cucchiaio's and all;):D
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totti
Vincenzo Montella 1999-present (on loan)
L'Aeroplanino always entertained me. thats what i remember most about him. the goal celebration was always the same, but i loved it, and loved seeing the Curva's reaction. for a little guy, loved his headers, always thought he was the perfect small type forward. not that i would change anything, but i was saddened to see Montella as the man ousted with the arrival of Spalletti, pushing Totti up in the 4-2-3-1, but of course, not too sad:o. glad to see him still playing, and doing it with class still.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Montella
Manager:
Luciano Spalletti 2005-present
well the obvious choices to me are Spalletti or Capello. Capello for me was always a results man. he got the job done, but it was just that a job. to me, Spalletti is a man who really puts his heart to Roma. he is a tactical genius, reviving our side, and gaining praise all over the continent for our attractive football. he gets the best out of each player in each position. (Totti moving to sole striker, confidence in Doni, using Chivu/Tonetto/Cassetti in the midfield, etc.) also is the reason we can sign better players now, as winning trophies has earned us money. great with the media, knows the players he wants, great relationship with the Sensi's, and he wins, and wins playing beautiful football. there is nothing more i can ask of him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luciano_Spalletti
Honorable mentions:
Sensi's obviously need mentioning. amidst all the takeover talk, all i want is for Roma to stay with them. they love the club as we all do, and because of them we are entertained each sunday:)
Marco Delvecchio
Simone Perrotta
Christian Chivu
Walter Samuel
my apologies to Giannini, as i dont remember him much, and of course, the greats who i didnt know of except by video- Conti, Di Bartolomei, Falcao, Pruzzo, Voeller, Ancelotti, Capello, Mazzone, Losi, Nela, Masetti etc
Formation:
4-3-1-2, thank you Spalletti;)
_______________________Doni_______________________ ___
__Cafu__________Aldair__________Mexes_______Panucc i___
__________Tommasi_______De Rossi__________Candela_____
______________________Totti_______________________ ___
____________Montella_____________Batistuta________ _____
in the transfer thread, Jorquera, roma_barca, and I were speaking of Vincenzo Montella and how he was so vital to Roma, and a huge fan favorite, so i thought maybe Roma fans would want to weigh in on Roma's all time best players, or your favorite players throughout Roma's history.
Channel4 puts the all time XI here:
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/alltime/romaxi.html
for me, im going to post my all time XI, but as i have only been watching since Totti (in 92, im only 24:o), certain notable players in our history will be omitted. for instance Bruno Conti wont be on my list, not because he doesnt desvere it, but because i didnt really know him as a player, only watch videos of him play, never live matches. so i probably cant accurately weigh in on his career, etc. Ancelotti, Pruzzo, Falcao, Di Bartolomei etc wont be there, but id love to hear what everyone's XI is, and perhaps older fans would most certainly include those players:)
remember, for me, since 92;)
Keeper:
Doni 2005-present
i know he is relatively young in terms of his Roma career. but i think he is the best i have seen for us. i love the fact that until recently he was making very little $ for us, but still pledged his future to Roma, said he and his family loved it here. i have loved watching him debut in the Derby, and go from relatively unheard of, to Brazil's no. 1/2 with Cesar. i really hope he stays at Roma for the remainder of his career, it will mean having a solid custodian well past 2012. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donieber_Alexander_Marangon
Defenders:
Cafu 1997-2003
who doesnt love Il Pendolino:) gotta give him respect for still playing at a high level as well (tho i think now he is heading back to Brazil to finish up his career). loved watching 00-01 and his forward runs bumbling down that wing for a cross or dribble into the box. cant remember him representing himself poorly either, he was to me, always a great representative of the sport. and in the true aura of Brazilian football, always had fun when playing the game.
check out those honors too, only the 03 SuperCoppa and 01 Scudetto with Roma, but still, great career. also most capped player ever for Brazil, surprised me finding that out tbh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafu
Aldair 1990-2003
well, 3 players in and all Brazilians, tells you a little bit about our history doesnt it:o. how can you not include our only retired shirt, the no. 6. a class defender, WC winner, and dont forget, our last captain before Totti:eek: seems so long ago, but he is still playing in San Marino. loved watching the center of our back 3 during the Capello days. cant pick out a goal of his that stands out, but i remember a few nice ones from headers. shame he played when i was younger, i would have loved to watch him in his prime when i was little older and would remember more, but still loved the guy even late on in his career. 415 total appearances speaks for itself doesnt it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldair
Phillippe Mexes 2004-present
perhaps a controversial pick, as he cost us a year of transfers, and used to be quite temperamental early on for us. but right now- if i am choosing a starting defender for a best in the world XI- hes starting centerback. its crazy to me he has only appeared for France 8 times since 2002, but for us he has been our backbone for some time now. i also admire his commitment to us among many links and opportunities to leave for more $ (Man U, Milan). a knack for scoring important goals, (this years Coppa final, opening goal of the season, etc) he gives blood sweat and tears for us. coming up on his 100th appearance for us, i hope he will stay for many many more. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexes
Christian Panucci 2001-present
I know im making an exception since Cafu and Panucci were both primarily RB's, but have to include Panucci in here even if he is less effective at LB. effective as a starter, comes in as a sub to change a game. reignited his NT career while with Roma, he simply is a great defender and still has legs to run the flank and put in a cross to someone's head. had his best years under Capello, ive always loved his knack for scoring winners both for us and the NT (just ask Scotland;)). love his fiery temper at 35 to those youngsters in Serie A who try to dribble around him or thru him and find themselves on the pitch with the ball at his feet;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Panucci
Midfielders:
Vincent Candela 1997-2005
ok, ok, i know he was mostly a LB, but he always found his way into the midfield, and was always forward and attack minded. if i remember correctly some matches he even started in the mid. a little like Chivu in that way. but he was a player who i enjoyed watching, loved the relationship between him and Totti as well, especially in contrast to Totti's and Cassano's:mad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Candela
Daniele De Rossi 2002-present
what can i say? 24, 34 caps for Italy already and a WC medal, 155 appearances for Roma, plays almost every match now. he is huge. hes the best in the business at what he does playing just in front of the back 4, and every match you can see him giving everything he has to the shirt. to me, he truly embodies what it means to play for Roma. i think that if you told him youd give him a minimum contract he would still play for us. the PK v. Genoa this past season and his celebration shows his love for Roma imo. future captain, building block of Roma's and Italy's midfield, cant think of a future Roma without him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniele_De_Rossi
Damiano Tommasi
always admired the player, seemed to be a great fan favorite, and did alot of tireless off the ball work from what i remember for us. i could be wrong, but in my recollection he was alot like Gattuso, a ball winner, tireless worker, tracking down balls in the 90th minute type guy. have to respect that, especially his last year he was doing it all for what a regular Roma employee was making. class player, and a great example of how to play the game and how to represent yourself
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damiano_Tommasi
Forwards:
Gabriel Batistuta 2000-2003
loved watching Batigol for la Viola, and was very excited when he came to Roma. he was probably the best pure goalscorer we have ever had. i always felt forwards like him were perfect matches for Totti as they would always play their best with service from Francesco. 30 goals in 63 appearances for Roma is just about one every other game which is immense. fell off towards the end with us, but that first season, 00-01 for so many reasons was memorable, but 20 goals was fantastic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batistuta
Francesco Totti 1992-present
well im not going to go into a long tribute to my hero:p, i will simply say he is the reason i began watching football, he is why i love Roma, he is why i love the Italy NT. never gets the respect he deserves, and often criticized for his commitment to Roma, he suffered thru the difficult years, and brought us to and inspired us during the great years. if i were a professional footballer, the way he plays the game is the way i would want to attempt to play it. cucchiaio's and all;):D
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totti
Vincenzo Montella 1999-present (on loan)
L'Aeroplanino always entertained me. thats what i remember most about him. the goal celebration was always the same, but i loved it, and loved seeing the Curva's reaction. for a little guy, loved his headers, always thought he was the perfect small type forward. not that i would change anything, but i was saddened to see Montella as the man ousted with the arrival of Spalletti, pushing Totti up in the 4-2-3-1, but of course, not too sad:o. glad to see him still playing, and doing it with class still.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Montella
Manager:
Luciano Spalletti 2005-present
well the obvious choices to me are Spalletti or Capello. Capello for me was always a results man. he got the job done, but it was just that a job. to me, Spalletti is a man who really puts his heart to Roma. he is a tactical genius, reviving our side, and gaining praise all over the continent for our attractive football. he gets the best out of each player in each position. (Totti moving to sole striker, confidence in Doni, using Chivu/Tonetto/Cassetti in the midfield, etc.) also is the reason we can sign better players now, as winning trophies has earned us money. great with the media, knows the players he wants, great relationship with the Sensi's, and he wins, and wins playing beautiful football. there is nothing more i can ask of him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luciano_Spalletti
Honorable mentions:
Sensi's obviously need mentioning. amidst all the takeover talk, all i want is for Roma to stay with them. they love the club as we all do, and because of them we are entertained each sunday:)
Marco Delvecchio
Simone Perrotta
Christian Chivu
Walter Samuel
my apologies to Giannini, as i dont remember him much, and of course, the greats who i didnt know of except by video- Conti, Di Bartolomei, Falcao, Pruzzo, Voeller, Ancelotti, Capello, Mazzone, Losi, Nela, Masetti etc
Formation:
4-3-1-2, thank you Spalletti;)
_______________________Doni_______________________ ___
__Cafu__________Aldair__________Mexes_______Panucc i___
__________Tommasi_______De Rossi__________Candela_____
______________________Totti_______________________ ___
____________Montella_____________Batistuta________ _____