Real Madrid Not Lowering Asking Price For Baptista

fount : goal.com



12 million euros, take it or leave it: that seems to be the position of Real Madrid, according to the Spanish media, regarding Roma's request to purchase midfielder/striker Julio Baptista.

El Mundo Deportivo reports that the Merengues have no intention to lower their asking price of 12 million euros, which is one million more than Roma are willing to spend at the moment.

This situation does not worry the player's agent Herminio Menéndez too much, as he told Roma fan site Laromasiamonoi.it that "there are other clubs interested in Baptista as well."

However, he confirmed that a move to Roma is a definite possibility: "If Roma contact us, it will not take long to reach an agreement."

The 26-year-old Brazilian joined Real Madrid from Sevilla in 2005, but never managed to establish himself in the starting XI, scoring a total of just 11 goals for Los Blancos. In the 2006-2007 season he played on loan for Arsenal, for whom he found the net 3 times.

Danilo Pochini

Sacchi: Baptista To Roma? Great!

fount : goal.com



The Brazilian is at the centre of attention in Roma’s hunt for a striker.

Reports in Italy, as well as his agent, Herminio Menendez, claim the hit-man is on the verge of joining the Giallorossi.

Sacchi, who masterminded Baptista’s move to Real in 2005 from Sevilla, believes Roma should waste no time and snap him up sooner rather than later.

“Julio Baptista could be the ideal man at Roma,” Sacchi told Radio Radio.

“He is a player who has strength, physique, and he has a killer strike on him. He can score free kicks and he is sound technically.

“If he finds the right environment, he could be the transfer of the summer, and shock everyone.

“He could play alongside Totti and Vucinic with no problems.”

Roma have made a €12m bid for Baptista but Real have yet to respond according to the latest news from Italy.

Salvatore Landolina

Ferdinand Advises Roma: Buy Malouda

fount : goal.com



Rio Ferdinand spoke to Il Romanista today with very kind words for a Premier League rival. The one time England captain was talking about Frenchman Florent Malouda of Chelsea, whose possible move to Roma has caught his attention.

The complimentary Ferdinand said of the 27-year-old winger: “I think Malouda is a great player, especially when he was at Lyon, where he did many great things.”

Knowing the player well from the many intense matches Manchester United played against Chelsea last season, the Englishman continued: “I think he can adapt well to any team he plays for.”

After a less then ideal season at Chelsea the French international will be keen to move on and ply his trade elsewhere, but Rio clearly rates the much-maligned Malouda.

Despite praise from his peer, however, Malouda himself will be keen to prove his worth after frequent criticisms, whether he stays at Chelsea or moves on to new pastures.

Peter Pedroncelli

Al Ahli Upset With Roma Refereeing

fount : goal.com



The Egyptian team went down 3-0 in the encounter, and they have expressed their unhappiness with the way the game was handled by referee Yasser Abdul-Raouf.

Coach Jose Manuel rushed onto the pitch to confront the referee immediately after the game, protesting his "controversial" decisions.

Assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri also expressed his unhappiness with the way the game was handled and did not hide his feelings at the press conference.

"The referee tarnished the friendly atmosphere through his weird decisions," Al-Badri told the post-match press conference.

"Almost all of his decisions went against us, I don't know why,"

Out Of Play

The first goal for Spaletti's men came in controversial fashion as the ball slightly crossed the by-line before being whipped in by Brazilian born full back Cicinho for Mauro Esposito to finish.

"Cicinho admitted after the match that the ball crossed the line just before he whipped in his cross," Ahli keeper Amir Abdul-Hamid was quoted as saying on FilGoal.com

"He also told me that he was surprised that the referee allowed the goal."

Another member of the Al Ahli technical crew, goalkeeping trainer Ahmed Nagui, also complained bitterly about the referee.

"Problems always occur every time Abdul-Raouf officiate a match for us," he told the Ahly Channel after the game.

"Given those past problems, why did Abdul-Raouf took charge of our friendly game against Roma?"

"The referee stirred tensions through his controversial and weird decisions."

Awenlimobor Sylvester

Spalletti Pleased With Win

fount : goal.com



The Romanisti can finally celebrate a win during this pre-season period after enduring a loss and a draw in the teams two previous engagements. Coach Luciano Spalletti was in high spirits following the game in Egypt and was upbeat having watched his players win comfortably.

Spalletti praised his charges, saying: “Compliments to the team, we were playing against opponents who know how to play very good football.”

Encouraged by the scoreline he added: “We won 3-0 and the game showed me many positive things.”

The win on foreign soil will give the Giallorossi confidence for the first official match of the season, the Italian Supercup against Inter Milan. Never completely at ease, though, Spalletti had some criticism for his players with the new season approaching fast.

“We still have to find a little something extra to make us more consistent,” he warned.

Worryingly, Roma's Montenegrin star Mirko Vucinic missed the Egyptian friendly through injury. Updating fans on the player's condition, Spalletti continued: “He has a small problem with his tibia, that is giving him pain.

“It's better that we let him rest so he can play in the next game.”

Peter Pedroncelli

Roma Trounce Al-Ahli

fount : goal.com



Mauro Esposito put the visitors ahead midway through the first half with a goal that the Al Ahli players and officials heavily protested.

The Al Ahli players alleged that the ball had crossed the by-line before Cicinho crossed the ball that was converted by Esposito.

Matteo Brighi increased the advantage of the visitors with 12 minutes left in open play. Brighi towered over his marker to head home Edgar Alvarez's cross.

A controversial penalty kick from David Pizarro sealed victory for Luciano Spalletti's men.

Ahli defender Sayed Moawad brought down Alvarez inside the penalty area, and the referee had no option but to point to the spot. Pizarro quickly dispatched the resulting kick.

Al Ahli had to play with 10 men for the last 20 minutes after midfielder Moataz Eto was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Al Ahli begin the defence of their Egyptian league title this weekend against newly promoted side Olympic.

Awenlimobor Sylvester

Aquilani: Im Staying At Roma

fount : goal.com



The Rome-born maestro was linked with a mega money move to the Giallorossi’s main rivals all summer as he hasn’t renewed his current deal with the club.

However, he has now ended all speculation and delighted Roma fans by revealing he wants to stay at the Olimpico.

"My future? I will stay at Roma no problem.” Aquilani told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“Egypt? I am really curious to see how they built these pyramids 5000 years ago.”

Aquilani’s contract extension talks have stalled but it seems as if they will take off following his latest revelations.

The 24-year-old began his career at the club by making his way up through the youth system just like Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi.

The Giallorossi finished second in Serie A last term and they will be hoping to go one better this year and win the Scudetto.

The last time Roma triumphed in the league was in 2001 when they won it under Fabio Capello.

Salvatore Landolina

Mancini Eyes Roma Revenge

fount : goal.com



The Brazilian winger made the switch to the Nerazzurri last month after falling out with Giallorossi coach Luciano Spalletti.

He is now ready to get one over his former employers and confident the Nerazzurri will beat Roma to lift the trophy.

“We will be in top form on the 24 and we will take the Supercoppa with us,” Mancini told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

“We want to win it so we start the season in the best way possible.

“Everyone is working hard to ensure we are ready for this appointment.

“Everything is going great. I have plenty of motivation and when I concentrate I always do great things.”

The Beneamata lifted their first silverware of the season against Bayern Munich when they triumphed in the Beckenbauer Cup on Tuesday night.

The club have big ambitions this term and the treble is hot on everyone’s lips at Appiano Gentile, Inter’s training ground.

Salvatore Landolina

Giuly Accuses Roma Of 'Lack Of Respect'

fount : goal.com



Giuly joined PSG from the Giallorossi during this transfer window, but only yesterday he revealed the reasons behind his decision.

"In Paris, like in Monaco and Barcelona, I feel respected, something which did not happen in Roma," explained the midfielder to Le Perisien.

Giuly could have easily remained in Rome considering he still had two more years in his contract, but opted for a move to PSG with a three year contract, where he hopes to end his career.

"I still had two more years of contract, but I did not feel at ease," he continued.

"If health will allow it, I hope to play for a fourth year as well."

In his one and only season with Roma, Giuly made 32 appearances for the club, scoring six goals in the process.

Glenn Debattista