Watched both of Juve's games against Celtic last season and Pirlo definitely struggled, particularly at Celtic Park.

I've seen rumours linking Pirlo with a move to Spurs.

It would seem, that the team has to be built round them for them to succeed meaning they would definitely turn to "kaka" abroad, where such tactics would never be employed for them.

Neither Juve nor Roma have been built to fit either one of them. They have managers who trust them, though. I don't think that same trust would be given to them in England either, for various reasons, but those reasons aren't rooted in ability.

Really. Always thought Juve stumbled upon a system based round Pirlo and Roma are deliberately set up with two speedy forwards either side of Totti.

Volante wrote:
Bold Tone wrote:

Lumpard did not dominate anyone last season!

Dominated Coquelin/Diaby/Wilshere at Stamford Bridge last season.

In the first half he did, second half he most certainly didn't.

Bold Tone wrote:

Really. Always thought Juve stumbled upon a system based round Pirlo and Roma are deliberately set up with two speedy forwards either side of Totti.

This season, sure. Totti played on the left flank last year though and was arguably the best player in Serie A. The year before that he played behind the striker in something resembling an attacking midfielder role. In 2008 he spent a lot of time on the right flank. In 06-07 he played up front and won the Golden Shoe. You won't find another player in the world who has adopted so often to fit the needs of his team.

Pirlo is basically positioned as a sweeper nowadays, but he's a playmaker at the same time. He sits in front of the defence and dictates the shape of the team. When Allegri took over Milan he favoured big, physical players over the more cultured and tactical ones. Pirlo had a miserable last season among the flat track bullies and left on a free after Allegri didn't see any point in extending his contract. Most people thought his career was done until Conte found a new way to use him at Juve. It's true to some extent that the team is built around Pirlo, but he had to adapt to a wholly new position. Apart from the delicate passing range there is little resemblance between him now and the player he was for Milan.

Roma have conceded one goal all season..? Wow.

Roma winning the Serie A would be an amazing feat.

For all you Serie A fanboys out there.

What do you think about the Udinese-Roma game coming up. Roma have great odds for an unbeaten team that's only conceded 1 goal all season and I was thinking on putting some money on them. However, I'm not sure what to make of the injury to Totti.

So my question for you is, will Roma cope with Totti's absence or is this likely to be their first stumble?

Never bet on away teams in Serie A.

Roma will drop points again sooner or later. Might as well be here, away from home and without Totti. Gervinho might miss out too from what I've gathered. Udinese need points to climb a bit in the table and Roma can afford to drop them at the moment. Lump some money on a draw instead and then play a few safe games to make up for any potential loss. I think it'll pay off.

Hadn't heard about Gervinho being a doubt for this.

Thanks Klaus, I'll trust your judgement on this. Don't think I'll bet on the draw though. Not a big fan of that.

Late Michael Bradley (class player) goal gives Roma all three points despite Maicon getting sent off. Roma beating Udinese away under those circumstances is a massive boost for their morale. Real contenders for the Scudetto.

Seriously impressive. Still a perfect record in Serie A then. Still just one goal conceded.

Watching some highlights from today's games. Ciro Immobile, despite his name, is a pretty mobile player. Torino might have an outside shot at the Europa League places the way he and Alessio Cerci are playing at the moment.

Kaka's goal today was at least as good as Bale's second for Madrid, by the way:

[video=dailymotion]

Makes you wonder if there's still something left in that tank. Maybe if he can stay off the injuries this season...