One trait by which this season will be remembered is the sense of finality that has permeated and still permeates all of the games in it’s latter weeks. Inter-Juventus was a final. Sampdoria-Genoa will be a final without doubt, and chances are that Milan-Roma will be one as well. The last Roman derby and the match of the Giallorossi against Genoa were also games to end all games. So it seems superfluous to add that next weekend’s Fiorentina-Roma will be a final, with the fate of both teams hanging from its uncertain result. Fiorentina will walk into the game as favourites, although some of their frailties may come back to hurt them (mainly the inconsistency of some key players, especially in the midfield). This could especially be the case if San Francesco descends in his golden chariot again, as he did in the first match this season (1-0, goal by Totti). Some would argue that Roma will have an important advantage in the absence of Adrian Mutu, who represents Fiorentina’s more modest response to the Holy Roman Ambassador, but this is nonsense. La Viola has more than enough firepower in their offence and midfield to burn a hole through that store-house of mattresses that is Roma’s defence at present, with or without Mutu. What really will cut the difference will be the fighting spirit of the Giallorossi and whether their midfield will be able to operate organically with the other departments. If it can, and Roma manages to snatch a lead, then the wolves could well walk away with some prey in their jaws. Divine intervention is a more realistic thing to hope for though.

Posted on April 22nd, 2009 by Dan
Filed under: Uncategorized