Spalletti Slams Roma & Aquilani

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The Giallorossi have had a dismal pre-season so far, losing heavily to Steaua Bucharest, drawing with Monaco, and notching up their only win against Al-Ahly.

Yesterday afternoon things hit rock-bottom when the Romans were crushed 5-0 in North London by Tottenham Hotspur, with Darren Bent (2), David Bentley (2) and Aaron Lennon all getting on the scoresheet. To make matters worse, Alberto Aquilani was red carded in the second half for a second bookable offence.

Spalletti has now hit out at his players, singling out Aquilani, following this embarrassing setback.

“The main reason for the defeat was the mentality we had when we went out on the pitch,” said the former Udinese tactician.

“After three years we are still committing the same errors and it’s annoying because we are always trying to find the solutions.

“What do I think of Alberto Aquilani’s sending off? Everyone has to take responsibility on these occasions. He needed to focus better.

“He needs to learn how to deal with frustrations because it is wrong to let things get to you.”

The Italian media believe that Roma’s chances for the new campaign are not good unless they can bring in a couple of top-class signings.

Julio Baptista could be one of these, as he is expected to complete his transfer from Real Madrid this week.

Alessio Alexis

Cudicini Sr Ponders Roma's 'Keeper Situation

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This week, Fabio Cudicini, former goalkeeper and father of Chelsea shot-stopper Carlo Cudicini, has given his opinion concerning the goalkeepers at the Roman club.

The former No.1 spoke about new Giallorossi keeper Artur Gusmão. The Brazilian arrived at the club from Siena in June and has featured for Roma in pre-season friendlies. Cudicini said of Gusmão: “Artur is still something of an uncertainty for me, as I believe a team in the Champions League should have goalkeepers with great experience.”

On the subject of experience, Cudicini touched on the loan move of Gianluca Curci to Siena, in order to grow as a keeper. The player has spent his entire youth and senior career at Roma and now has a chance to play on a regular basis at the Tuscan club. Cudicini continued: “It will be a maturity test for him, but he can play more often and calmly improve.

“It perhaps should have beeen done years ago.”

However, Cudicini, who spent eight years in the Italian capital with the club, had praise for the current Roma number one, Brazilian Doni. He enthused: “His early insecurity and immaturity has been washed away by the many fantastic (Serie A) championships that he has played and now.

“He is a goalkeeper for the Brazilian national team, confirming his status as a great number one.”

Doni will surely be encouraged be these kind words.

Peter Pedroncelli

Agent: Baptista To Roma? Not Today

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The Giallorossi have been desperately searching for an attacker all summer, following the sale of Amantino Mancini to Inter. After failing in their attempt to snap up Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu, the capital club have been engrossed in negotiations for the past week for Real Madrid benchwarmer Julio Baptista.

Yesterday it was reported in the Spanish and Italian media that both clubs had reached an agreement over Baptista’s transfer fee, of around €12m.

It was even claimed that the forward had already left the Spanish capital and boarded a flight to Rome in order to put the finishing touches on his new deal, and that the transfer would be completed today.

However, Baptista’s agent Herminio Menendez says that although a fee has been agreed, the transfer won’t be completed just yet, as neither he nor another of the player’s representatives, Juan Figer, are available for the final meeting with Roma.

“I won’t be in Rome on Monday – I have a meeting with Real Madrid,” Menendez told Laromasiamonoi.it.

“Figer won’t be there either. But the deal could be done during the week, even if I’m not sure exactly when.

“Nonetheless, it does seem that Roma and Real Madrid have already agreed a fee for the player’s transfer."

Roma are in desperate need of some high-profile acquisitions following the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

Alessio Alexis

Tottenham Breeze Past Roma

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It may be only a friendly, and the gap in condition between English teams and Italian teams may be huge at this point in time, but Roma will have to think long and hard about their 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

Coach Luciano Spalletti has reiterated many times that his team needs reinforcements, and on today's evidence one can see his point. But one player may not be enough.

Still, there were a number of important players missing today, such as captain Francesco Totti, goalkeeper Alexandre Doni, Rodrigo Taddei, Cicinho, and David Pizarro.

The home side made a blistering start to the match and found themselves 2-0 up within the first five minutes. David Bentley opened the score with a free kick that eluded stand-in goalkeeper Artur, before Daniele De Rossi, looking a shadow of the great midfielder we saw in the last few seasons, played a poor back-pass to Juan that allowed Darren Bent to sneak in, dribble past the keeper and make it 2-0.

Roma continued to struggle throughout the first half, with Simone Perrotta failing to make himself dangerous with his runs, and veteran striker Vincenzo Montella showing he is no longer suited to matches at this level. Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes needed to make just one save, on a long-range effort from Alberto Aquilani. Bentley even made it 3-0 just before the break with a shot from outside the area.

In the second half, things didn't change. Five minutes into the restart Giovani Dos Santos dribbled past Philippe Mexes and played it to Aaron Lennon, who had no problems scoring the fourth goal.

On the hour mark, Bent got his brace as he easily slotted the ball home on the far post after completely eluding a disoriented Roma defence.

Roma looked nervous and out-of-sorts, Aquilani even getting himself sent off late on for a second bookable offence. The only danger from the visitors in the last part of the game came from Perrotta, who fired a dangerous cross-shot that was parried away by Gomes.

After this defeat, Spalletti will be even more sure he has a lot of work to do, not only on the transfer market, but also to try and make the team forget about this dismal display.

Danilo Pochini

Starting formations:

Tottenham Hotspur: Gomes, Zokora, Bentley, Jenas, Berbatov, Bent, Modric, Giovani, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate.
Available: Bale, Huddlestone, Lennon, Gilberto, Gunter, O'hara, King, Jansson. Coach: Ramos.

AS Roma: Artur, Juan, Mexes, Riise, Cassetti, De Rossi, Aquilani, Brighi, Perrotta, Vucinic, Montella.
Available: Pipolo, Panucci, Loria, Esposito, Alvarez, Virga, Mladen. Coach: Spalletti.

Baptista Flies To Rome To Sign Contract

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Luciano Spalletti’s side are on the verge of landing their man after both Real Madrid and Roma reached an agreement over Baptista’s transfer fee, around €12m.

Sportmediaset claims the player has already left the Spanish capital and boarded a flight to Rome in order to put the finishing touches on his new deal.

He is expected to put pen to paper on Monday should he pass a medical at Roma’s Trigoria headquarters. The Brazilian will sign a four year deal worth €2.5m per season, which hits Roma’s salary cap right on the knuckle.

The Giallorossi have been after the ‘Beast’ all summer but Real were playing hard ball as their attentions were distracted by the Cristiano Ronaldo saga.

Los Merengues’ recent signing of Rafael van der Vaart seems to have opened the door to the Brazilian's exit as negotiations regarding the transfer to Roma went through the roof once the Dutchman landed in Madrid.

Baptista’s arrival will go down well at the Olimpico as he is what the Giallorossi needed given their ambitions in both the Scudetto and Champions League.

Salvatore Landolina

Bronzetti: Baptista To Roma Almost Done

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Roma have been looking to add some more offensive talent to their squad after selling Amantino Mancini and Ludovic Giuly this summer, but so far they have failed to acquire any big-name signings up front. However, some good news has come through for the fans of the club - Julio Baptista will likely be there soon.
Transfer consultant Ernesto Bronzetti revealed on romanews.eu that an official announcement is all that remains before the former Sevilla goalscorer completes his switch to the Eternal City.
"Between Roma and Real Madrid is a principle agreement for Julio Baptista. We almost have him," Bronzetti explained.
Negotiations were thought to be at a stand-still for the Brazilian who scored the only goal in a 1-0 win in the Super Classico against Barcelona last season, as his price-tag seemed too steep for Roma. However, coach Luciano Spaletti called for patience in the matter recently and it seems to have paid off.
The Roma faithful are expected to praise the signing as it will bring in a proven attacking player and relieve some of the burden on captain Francesco Totti, who is presently recovering from a serious injury.
Baptista has not had the happiest of times since arriving in Madrid, already being loaned out to Arsenal in the past. He also lost his place in the team near the end of last season and Real coach Bernd Schuster may dub him surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.
The official announcement of the transfer is expected to be made at the beginning of this week, probably on Monday.

Adam Scime

Spalletti Responds To Mutu Threats

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The Romanian international warned the Giallorossi that he was going to hurt them when Roma clash with Fiorentina this season.

Mutu was on the verge of joining the Olimpico based side before the deal was scuppered and he extended his contract at the Artemio Franchi instead.

Spalletti has now reacted to the hit-man’s words and he admits that he doesn’t fear him.

"Mutu’s words after he extended? Let’s put it this way, Mutu is a Fiorentina player and we admire him for his qualities," Spalletti told Il Romanista.

“However, we have our own players and we are not afraid to play against him.”

Mutu has been in stunning form for Fiorentina and the club made sure he stayed by giving the player what he wanted, a pay rise.

The striker’s goals fired his team into the Champions League and Cesare Prandelli will be hoping the Romanian continues shooting on all cylinders as he attempts to steer the team back to the glory days of times gone by.

Salvatore Landolina

Spalletti Pleads For Patience Over Baptista

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There doesn't seem to be any doubt anymore that Real Madrid striker Julio Baptista is Roma's primary transfer objective. Coach Luciano Spalletti spoke ahead of the Giallorossi's friendly against Tottenham Hotspur and confirmed that a negotiation with the Merengues is ongoing.

"It's true that Roma are negotiating with Real Madrid, but there is no rush, everything needs to be done calmly, we must not put pressure on the management," he commented.

However, once again Spalletti did not hide his admiration for the player, who according to the coach would fit in perfectly in the team's formation.

"He's a player who could be very useful to us. He's very versatile, he can run, he's strong, he has technique, in a word he's the right player for Roma," the coach concluded.

For today's friendly in London against the Spurs, Spalletti will be missing captain Francesco Totti, who's clinically healed from his injury but he still needs to get back into his best shape.

Danilo Pochini

Real Madrid Accept Roma's New Baptista Offer

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Garcia also confirmed that Real Madrid will meet with Roma on Monday to finalise the deal and have it wrapped up and ready to sign.

Reports in Italy on Friday night suggested that the deal has been reached and the spokesman has revealed the latest regarding the developing transfer.

“I cannot confirm anything officially but I can affirm that Roma have made a new offer and both parties have come closer regarding a deal,” Garcia told Il Romanista.

“The improvement of the offer from Roma has seen us come to the capital and this is significant.

“Roma are not the only club after Baptista, there are also clubs in England but I cannot name them.

“I can say that Roma’s offer has satisfied all the parties involved.”

The only thing missing are the signatures and official confirmation from both clubs.

An announcement is expected on Monday and it is likely that Baptista will join the Giallorossi then providing he passes a medical at Trigoria.

Salvatore Landolina

Udinese Deny Quagliarella To Roma Rumour

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The Friulani do not even want to comment the speculation that Quagliarella could be on his way out after just one season at the club.

Leonardi has moved to close the issue, rebuffing claims that the former Sampdoria player will be joining the Giallorossi during this transfer window.

"A transfer of Fabio to Trigoria? I don't want to comment this rumour which appeared in the press," declared the general director to Romanews.eu, clearly annoyed with this speculation.

In his first season with the Bianconeri Quagliarella made 37 appearances and scored 12 goals to help his team to a respectable seventh position in the standings.

Glenn Debattista