Spalletti Pleased With Win

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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

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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

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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

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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'

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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

Roma Eyeing Free Freddie?

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The winger, who took part in Euro 2008 for Sweden, has left West Ham via mutual consent to become a free agent. He still had 3 years left on his contract, but the player and club decided to go their separate ways.
"I gave the best of myself at West Ham and I enjoyed it, but the decision is best for both sides," said Ljungberg, who spent nine years at Arsenal, but managed just one at West Ham. The midfielder's season was constantly disrupted by injuries and he only took part in 22 games for West Ham, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season.
Roma are thought to be seeking two wide players and may wish to act on the news as they continue their search to replace Amantino Mancini (now at Inter) and Ludovic Giuly (now at PSG), especially as they have done little to reinforce the squad so far in the transfer market.
Ljungberg would certainly fit Roma's style of play and system, as well as be closer in line with Roma's financial resources than some of the other names that have been associated with the club lately. Roma, who finished just three points behind Inter last season, have been trying to make deals for Chelsea's Florent Malouda and Real Madrid's Julio Baptista but neither player seems any closer to joining the capitol club. They also had a substantial bid for Romanian star Adrian Mutu turned down by Fiorentina in advanced stages of negotiations. Roma would only have to worry about negotiating salary as Ljungberg is available on a free transfer.
31-year-old Ljungberg would likely be looking for a new challenge and could find the prospect of joining an attacking side like Roma very interesting as he nears the end of his playing career.

Adam Scime

Pradé In Madrid To Seal Baptista Deal

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Julio Baptista and Roma have never been this close. According to Spanish daily Marca the negotiations are currently underway and there could be interesting developments in the next few hours.

Sporting director Daniele Pradé did not join the team on the trip for Cairo specifically to go to Madrid and reach an agreement with his Real Madrid counterpart Predrag Mijatovic. The Blancos' request is of 12 million euros, but an agreement could be reached for 10 million, which is close to the Giallorossi's original offer of 9 million.

Real Madrid allegedly decided to let the player go after learning that Wesley Sneijder's injury isn't as bad as first thought, and after recently signing Rafael Van Der Vaart.

According to Baptista's agent Herminio Menéndez, the Brazilian would favor a move to the Italian capital: "Julio isn't happy about his situation in Madrid because he doesn't want to continue staying on the bench. He wants a team where he can play and he would be perfectly happy to join Roma."

Danilo Pochini

Roma Eyeing Dutch Duo - Report

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Huntelaar has been linked with Roma before, but the Roma side never made a concrete offer. At the moment the Italian giants only have Francesco Totti and Mirko Vucinic for their attack.

They’re also thinking about Julio Baptista, but the Brazilian attacker is probably too expensive. However, Huntelaar isn’t a very cheap alternative. Ajax are thinking about holding on to their prolific striker until the end of his contract. Meaning purchasing him is going to be expensive too.

For the position of left winger they have also targeted Chelsea starlet Florent Malouda. Nevertheless, signing him won’t be an easy assignment.

Therefore they are thinking about Royston Drenthe as an alternative. The Holland u-21 international is happy in Madrid, despite his failure to secure a regular starting spot. Il Romanista isn’t very sure about Drenthe’s happiness and claims that an offer of €10 million will be enough to sign him.

Stefan Coerts

Roma Tempt Real With €12m Baptista Offer

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The Giallorossi have been after the Brazilian with Luciano Spalletti admitting his penchant for the player.

Menendez admits that the Italian side have in fact made an offer but it doesn’t seem as if the Spanish club are interested.

“Roma have contacted Real Madrid and the figures are those which appeared in the Italian press,” Menendez told Il Romanista.

“I can reveal that Roma’s offer is around €12m but the Spanish club have not seen that sum as adequate.

“I don’t know how much the Italian side were willing to offer the player as I have not been contacted officially or directly.

“We know the club are interested but neither myself nor Julio have been approached.

“There have been other offers but none of them were deemed good enough as he is a Brazil international and he has value.

“We will not have any problems in negotiating with Roma should the right offer arrive.

“Julio is always talking about Roma with Doni and he is enthusiastic about moving to the Italian capital for the club and for the fans.

“Based on this and with Roma’s will, a signature will arrive very soon.”

Positive news from the agent, Roma have been desperate to sign a decent striker and it seems as if Baptista is on the way.

Salvatore Landolina

Official: Genoa Sign Ferrari

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The Rossoblu have been wheeling and dealing for the defender since he failed to renew his deal with the Giallorossi.

Genoa managed to beat off competition from a host of top sides including Inter, Juventus as well as interest from abroad.

A statement on the club’s official website reads:

“Another precious move. Matteo Ferrari has signed for the Rossoblu today.

“It was a decisive meeting with the player who was also present just a few hours ago at Villa Rostan where he signed a new contract.

“The player will be presented at 19:00 at the Grand Hotel Nouve Terme.

“His signing means Genoa has now closed the market for defenders.”

The former Italy international will be hoping to hold down a regular place at Marassi after spending much of his time on the bench with Roma.

Ferrari played for Genoa during the 1997/98 season before moving to Lecce.

Salvatore Landolina