Wilhelmsson Attacks Roma

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The Giallorossi signed the midfielder from French side Nantes. However, he failed to live up to expectations at the Olimpico and he we quickly sent out on loan.

Wilhelmsson has now hit out at his former employers and he believes he could have achieved great things in Serie A.

“I was left very disappointed by club’s like Roma, who at first seemed to rely on me, only for them to get rid of me shortly afterwards,” the midfielder told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

“I am convinced I could have left a mark at Roma but they didn’t even give me the time or the chance.

“I changed four teams in two years. People expect too much too soon from players in Europe.

“There is no pressure here in Saudi Arabia. The only problem will be getting into the national side. Lagerback said he will consider me but I doubt it.”

Wilhelmsson signed for Al-Hilal as the pressure from not doing much in Europe seems to have got to him.

The midfielder played 18 times for Roma and he managed to score a goal in the process.

Salvatore Landolina

Malouda To Roma: Thanks But No Thanks

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Malouda only signed for Chelsea last summer from Lyon for a cool €20m, however he was a huge disappointment in his first season in West London.

There has been speculation in the press over the past few weeks that the French international doesn’t feature in the plans of new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, and that he will be allowed to leave.

Roma are on the lookout for a new left winger following the sale of Amantino Mancini to Inter, and they have been consistently linked with a move for the 28-year-old this summer.

It was even reported a couple of weeks ago that a deal was imminent, but Malouda has seemingly ended talk of a transfer with a ‘thanks but no thanks’ message to the Giallorossi.

“I'm pleased to hear of their interest in me,” Malouda is quoted as saying by Il Messaggero.

“I know Roma and Spalletti, but now I want to stay here [at Chelsea] and fight for my place.”

Malouda has won 41 caps for the France national team, and he is best remembered for winning the penalty during the World Cup final defeat against Italy in Berlin in 2006.

Alessio Alexis

Suazo's Roma Switch Drawing Near?

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The impact of this weekends surprise 5-0 loss to English side Tottenham is creating shock waves throughout the capital club, leaving certain elements wondering whether the team needs to be strengthened further while the transfer window is still open.

Coach Luciano Spalletti is rumoured to have asked management for one or two more additions to the squad before the game in London, but now the need has become clear to all at the Stadio Olimpico. Now, the club is reported to be asking about the availability of 28-year-old Honduran striker David Suazo of Inter Milan.

The striker scored eight goals for the Nerazzurri in 27 games and may be keen on a move away from Inter as he does not seem to feature in Inter coach Jose Mourinho's plans. The transfer may be made easier by the good relationship currently flourishing between the clubs, which has seen Amantino Mancini switch from the Giallorossi to the Milan giants.

In other transfer news regarding the club this week, Julio Baptista is close to completing his move from Madrid to Roma, with reports suggesting that it will happen in a matter of days. It seems, then, that 'the beast' is finally on his way to the capital.

Peter Pedroncelli

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