Champions League - Round of 16, Second Leg Ties

Captainshan · March 12, 2009, 12:29am

[SIZE=3]Stabbing of visiting fan in attack by ‘Ultras’ confirms club’s worst fears[/SIZE]

Rome was once more the scene of football-related violence last night, when an Arsenal fan was attacked with a knife before the game as a coach carrying supporters, who had travelled independently but had tickets, was attacked by a group of Roma “Ultras” just outside the Olympic Stadium. It is the third time in less than three years that the visit of an English club has resulted in such violence.

The coach’s windows were smashed and at least one hooligan entered the vehicle, letting off a flare and stabbing a supporter in the knee. He was treated at the stadium and his injuries were not thought to be serious. One Roma fan has been arrested.

Arsenal had feared the possibility of incidents outside the stadium. Roma’s hardcore followers have developed a reputation for violence and in 2007, in two separate incidents 16 Manchester United supporters were stabbed near the ground when United played against Roma in the Champions League twice during the year.

Rome has been selected by Uefa as the host for the Champions League final this season but city officials have been warned by European football’s governing body that any serious acts of hooliganism between now and May 27 could see the showpiece moved elsewhere.

After this threat had been issued, extra police had been drafted in by Rome officials in an attempt to ensure the safety of Arsenal’s approximate 3,400 travelling support. Arsenal had also warned supporters who were planning to attend the match that they were “at risk” if they travelled alone to the stadium.

The North London club printed a booklet explaining to the travelling fans to avoid transport routes usually taken by the Italian club’s “Ultra” supporters. Arsenal fans were also warned to steer clear of the Campo de Fiori, a square in the capital that is the traditional meeting place for Roma fans before matches at the Olympic Stadium.

“If you travel to the stadium independently, please be aware you are at risk,” the booklet circulated by Arsenal stated. “Do not take trains to the Piazza Flaminio or attempt to use the Ponte Duca D’Aosta bridge as these are habitual routes taken by the Ultras. Please stay away from the Campo De Fiori.

anon95599269 · March 12, 2009, 12:47am

[quote=“Captainshan”][SIZE=3]Stabbing of visiting fan in attack by Ultras confirms clubs worst fears[/SIZE]

Rome was once more the scene of football-related violence last night, when an Arsenal fan was attacked with a knife before the game as a coach carrying supporters, who had travelled independently but had tickets, was attacked by a group of Roma Ultras just outside the Olympic Stadium. It is the third time in less than three years that the visit of an English club has resulted in such violence.

The coachs windows were smashed and at least one hooligan entered the vehicle, letting off a flare and stabbing a supporter in the knee. He was treated at the stadium and his injuries were not thought to be serious. One Roma fan has been arrested.

Arsenal had feared the possibility of incidents outside the stadium. Romas hardcore followers have developed a reputation for violence and in 2007, in two separate incidents 16 Manchester United supporters were stabbed near the ground when United played against Roma in the Champions League twice during the year.

Rome has been selected by Uefa as the host for the Champions League final this season but city officials have been warned by European footballs governing body that any serious acts of hooliganism between now and May 27 could see the showpiece moved elsewhere.

After this threat had been issued, extra police had been drafted in by Rome officials in an attempt to ensure the safety of Arsenals approximate 3,400 travelling support. Arsenal had also warned supporters who were planning to attend the match that they were at risk if they travelled alone to the stadium.

The North London club printed a booklet explaining to the travelling fans to avoid transport routes usually taken by the Italian clubs Ultra supporters. Arsenal fans were also warned to steer clear of the Campo de Fiori, a square in the capital that is the traditional meeting place for Roma fans before matches at the Olympic Stadium.

If you travel to the stadium independently, please be aware you are at risk, the booklet circulated by Arsenal stated. Do not take trains to the Piazza Flaminio or attempt to use the Ponte Duca DAosta bridge as these are habitual routes taken by the Ultras. Please stay away from the Campo De Fiori.[/quote]

arsenal fans should be banned from europe in future if they are going to go to new cities & smash the place up, fair whack to that “ultra” for trying to make a citizens arrest

Sledgehammer · March 12, 2009, 12:53am

Jesus, we’ll organise a medal for you KIB.

Also, am I seeing things in your post, or are you actually predicting the draw? Predicting the order in which the balls come out of the drum?

myboyblue · March 12, 2009, 8:50am

Shameful behaviour by Roma fans last night. I just don’t know whats to be done with these mindless thugs.

The_Runt · March 12, 2009, 9:29am

NCC seems to have a penchant for following clubs with a sizeable hooligan element.

KIB_man · March 12, 2009, 9:31am

[quote=“Sledgehammer”]Jesus, we’ll organise a medal for you KIB.

Also, am I seeing things in your post, or are you actually predicting the draw? Predicting the order in which the balls come out of the drum?[/quote]

I heard that the draw has already been done so watch this

space

anon95599269 · March 12, 2009, 10:14am

tbh i dont mind arsenal- they have in the past played decent football so guilty on that score

Phil_Leotardo · March 12, 2009, 11:24am

It is typical how I come on here yesterday saying how solid the Arsenal defense has being recently and then they concede a very very soft goal early in the game with Clichy in particular caught completely ball watching and leaving an injured Juan of all people to put Roma one up.

Arsenal’s first half performance last night was as bad as I’ve seen them all season…listless, lackluster just plain useless really. They were making this seriously average Roma team look half decent at times. A run of mill “six of one - half a dozen of the other” type collision inside the box involving Clichy could have had a more weaker ref blow for a peno considering the intimidating atmosphere inside the stadium from the home fans. Sense prevailed thankfully.

Arsenal improved in the 2nd half albeit only marginally. The central midfielders were AWOL most of the night and many of the swinging crosses into the box were proving more or less fruitless. Arsenal did create a number of half decent chances and Walcott injected a little pace but it wasn’t cutting enough to make the breakthrough. Still Roma proved little threat in the 2nd half and extra time in general and it was obvious from about the 70th minute that they had made they’re mind up to play for penalties. The diving and faking of injuries from the Romans throughout the game was nothing short of a joke at times.

Still justice prevailed in the end and Roma can take the positives in getting so far in Europe’s top club competition and their negatives tactics may have worked on a different night when like last night most of the players for the far superior opposition are having a mare.

Arsenal will have to improve hugely for the next round where sterner tests await. Van Pierse can never play as bad again, Cesc’s return and a sharper Theo and Eduardo should up the performance levels to the standard required hopefully.

anon95599269 · March 12, 2009, 11:30am

[quote=“Phil Leotardo”]It is typical how I come on here yesterday saying how solid the Arsenal defense has being recently and then they concede a very very soft goal early in the game with Clichy in particular caught completely ball watching and leaving an injured Juan of all people to put Roma one up.

Arsenal’s first half performance last night was as bad as I’ve seen them all season…listless, lackluster just plain useless really. They were making this seriously average Roma team look half decent at times. A run of mill “six of one - half a dozen of the other” type collision inside the box involving Clichy could have had a more weaker ref blow for a peno considering the intimidating atmosphere inside the stadium from the home fans. Sense prevailed thankfully.

Arsenal improved in the 2nd half albeit only marginally. The central midfielders were AWOL most of the night and many of the swinging crosses into the box were proving more or less fruitless. Arsenal did create a number of half decent chances and Walcott injected a little pace but it wasn’t cutting enough to make the breakthrough. Still Roma proved little threat in the 2nd half and extra time in general and it was obvious from about the 70th minute that they had made they’re mind up to play for penalties. The diving and faking of injuries from the Romans throughout the game was nothing short of a joke at times.

Still justice prevailed in the end and Roma can take the positives in getting so far in Europe’s top club competition and their negatives tactics may have worked on a different night when like last night most of the players for the far superior opposition are having a mare.

Arsenal will have to improve hugely for the next round where sterner tests await. Van Pierse can never play as bad again, Cesc’s return and a sharper Theo and Eduardo should up the performance levels to the standard required hopefully.[/quote]

Bandage · March 12, 2009, 11:52am

I think everyone with the Giallorossi in their heart should focus on the fantastic performance rather than the missed opportunity last night. They left absolutely nothing on the field and it was awe-inspiring to see a patchwork team of individuals become a unified team before our very eyes.

Then you had the likes of Pizarro and Totti possibly putting their entire seasons at risk to put their team-mates ahead of their own health and careers. I don’t expect either to play at the weekend and last night’s efforts and the additional injuries to Juan and Taddei might have a seriously detrimental effect on Roma’s ability to even qualify for next year’s competition.

That said, there’s rare occasions when your team wills themselves on and reaches a level of performance way, way above and beyond the call of duty. Last night, the Roma team didn’t merely do justice to the support they received, they actually inspired those of us who love the team. In my 4 months passionately supporting Roma, I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it. Forza Roma.

Captainshan · March 12, 2009, 11:53am

Have you a new team for the Quarters Bandage.

caoimhaoin · March 12, 2009, 11:53am

[quote=“KIB man”]Me too. Villareal stopped the clean sweep for me.

I distinctly remember saying all 4 english teams would make the quarter finals at the start of the competition.

Draw
Porto v Liverpool
Arsenal v Villareal
Man Utd v Barcelona
Chelsea v Bayern Munich[/quote]

Very high chance of it being an all english semi’s with that draw. They are in each case a better team overall than their opposition.

anon95599269 · March 12, 2009, 11:59am

[quote=“Bandage”]I think everyone with the Giallorossi in their heart should focus on the fantastic performance rather than the missed opportunity last night. They left absolutely nothing on the field and it was awe-inspiring to see a patchwork team of individuals become a unified team before our very eyes.

Then you had the likes of Pizarro and Totti possibly putting their entire seasons at risk to put their team-mates ahead of their own health and careers. I don’t expect either to play at the weekend and last night’s efforts and the additional injuries to Juan and Taddei might have a seriously detrimental effect on Roma’s ability to even qualify for next year’s competition.

That said, there’s rare occasions when your team wills themselves on and reaches a level of performance way, way above and beyond the call of duty. Last night, the Roma team didn’t merely do justice to the support they received, they actually inspired those of us who love the team. In my 4 months passionately supporting Roma, I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it. Forza Roma.[/quote]

that post brought a tear to my eye, footballing neandethals like KIB are still working with big man small man up front must have been in awe watching a team be so attacking yet play with no out & out striker,

a half fit totti was twice as good as anyone else on the pitch
pizzaro was outstanding

The_Puke · March 12, 2009, 12:08pm