Roma-Milan Preview: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

I am eagerly awaiting Saturday’s match. Even if I’ve been disappointed in the past, the Roma match is one I always want to win. I’m not sure exactly what it is, maybe it’s that they have won more of our fixtures lately, but I get a little excited at the opportunity to turn them into whimpering little wolf pups.

Maybe it’s because the team from the capital can still be heard whining about ref calls after their loss in the derby a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps it’s their talisman captain, Francesco Totti, one of the most talented and yet obnoxious strikers in Italy. Or maybe it’s just that they always seem entitled and self-absorbed, I don’t know. But whatever the reason, it just makes it that much more pleasurable when we are able to pull off the win.

Roma are currently in their “I’ve got a new boyfriend” phase, having been purchased by Americans over the summer, particularly Thomas di Benedetto. He is trying to do what the Sensi family was unable to do: make big promises and splash some cash. For example, he brought in manager Luis Enrique from the ranks of Barcelona, who although seemingly a good choice for them has yet to deliver any consistency.

They also bought players like Bojan Krkic from Barca, as well as Lamela from river Plate, Steleklenburg from Ajax, Osvaldo fro Espanyol, and Kjaer from Wolfsburg, to name just a few. In fact, it will be a very different Roma than the one we lined up against in May, with which a 0-0 draw, was still enough for us to clinch the Scudetto and rain champagne all over their parade.

Even with so much talent, though, they currently sit below us in the table. I am sure they will want to remedy that situation on Saturday. I assume Enrique will put out a lineup similar to that of their midweek loss to Genoa: Steklenburg; Heinze, Burdisso, José Angel, Perotta; De Rossi, Greco, Gago, Pizarro; and Krkic and Borino up front. Of course, he could use the former Milan player, Marco Borriello, but I doubt he is first choice these days.

Speaking of former players, we also have Mexes and Aquilani that are former Roma players. It would be a bit of a dagger in the hearts of the wolves on this day if either of them play,  let alone both,  they were both were quite beloved by their former fans.

Allegri will have to make a few changes from the lineup that defeated Parma midweek. I would expect Nesta to come back into the lineup, and maybe at left back we could see Zambrotta? Or maybe that’s wishful thinking. He will probably choose between van Bommel and Ambrosini for defensive midfield, but I think he still starts with everyone else in the middle and possibly even up front, even if Cassano is seeming quite tired.

Whatever he chooses, he will choose a lineup to win, something we haven’t done against Roma since October of 2009. With a loss and a draw last year, I suspect he will be keen to finally kill the wolf. And I for one support that 100%. Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?

This post inspired by the music of Ministry