by Soccer Coach Albert M. Luongo
The final score of the game played in Rome on May 24, 2008 was Roma 2 to Inter Milan 1. Roma’s superior passing and aggressive play allowed them to maintain possession and control of the ball for a greater percentage of the game while Milan had difficulty in maintaining accurate constructive passes. Often Inter sent long balls or head flicks up-field (Hail Mary passes) that only amounted to ball recovery by Roma.
The first half was a clean game played mostly in the midfield with few good chances for scoring for either side. However at minute 35, Roma’s Mexes received the ball from a corner kick and kicked it passed Inter’s goalkeeper Toldo, who had no chance to save the shot. Mexes was completely unmarked, showing a problem with Inter’s defense. The score at the half was Rome 1 Inter Milan 0.
The second half got progressively rougher as time went on. Near the end of the match, players were going down left and right. At minute 9, Roma’s Perrotta passed the ball to a teammate at the left side of the goal. The ball was returned to Perrotta who scored with no chance for Milan’s goalkeeper Doni to save the shot. This gave Rome the lead of 2-0. However, several seconds before the goal, Roma’s Cassetti appeared to foul Milan’s Cesar. It is my opinion that this was a foul, but the referee allowed the play to continue.
At minute 15, Pele` (Vitor Hugh Gomes Passos) took a long shot from over 30 yards and off to the right of the goal. He scored with this amazing shot making the score 2 to 1.
Discussion
Roma certainly deserved to win the match. Their passing skills were accurate and they pressured Milan to get repossession of the ball. It seems to me that Milan’s endurance training could be increased to give them better timing and control of the ball.
Not discussed above, but worth mentioning was the positioning of Roma’s players near the end of the match. At around the time of 35 minutes into the second half, Roma appeared to retain all players on defense to hold their lead. While defensive play is the best strategy, playing all players in defense can upset the defensive team, be an overkill and a mistake. A few minutes later however, Roma went back to normal offensive and defensive play and held their lead.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
The final score of the game played in Rome on May 24, 2008 was Roma 2 to Inter Milan 1. Roma’s superior passing and aggressive play allowed them to maintain possession and control of the ball for a greater percentage of the game while Milan had difficulty in maintaining accurate constructive passes. Often Inter sent long balls or head flicks up-field (Hail Mary passes) that only amounted to ball recovery by Roma.
The first half was a clean game played mostly in the midfield with few good chances for scoring for either side. However at minute 35, Roma’s Mexes received the ball from a corner kick and kicked it passed Inter’s goalkeeper Toldo, who had no chance to save the shot. Mexes was completely unmarked, showing a problem with Inter’s defense. The score at the half was Rome 1 Inter Milan 0.
The second half got progressively rougher as time went on. Near the end of the match, players were going down left and right. At minute 9, Roma’s Perrotta passed the ball to a teammate at the left side of the goal. The ball was returned to Perrotta who scored with no chance for Milan’s goalkeeper Doni to save the shot. This gave Rome the lead of 2-0. However, several seconds before the goal, Roma’s Cassetti appeared to foul Milan’s Cesar. It is my opinion that this was a foul, but the referee allowed the play to continue.
At minute 15, Pele` (Vitor Hugh Gomes Passos) took a long shot from over 30 yards and off to the right of the goal. He scored with this amazing shot making the score 2 to 1.
Discussion
Roma certainly deserved to win the match. Their passing skills were accurate and they pressured Milan to get repossession of the ball. It seems to me that Milan’s endurance training could be increased to give them better timing and control of the ball.
Not discussed above, but worth mentioning was the positioning of Roma’s players near the end of the match. At around the time of 35 minutes into the second half, Roma appeared to retain all players on defense to hold their lead. While defensive play is the best strategy, playing all players in defense can upset the defensive team, be an overkill and a mistake. A few minutes later however, Roma went back to normal offensive and defensive play and held their lead.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
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