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Monday Kickoff: Totti ruled out for ten days; Walcott suffers setback; and more

FrancescoTottiASRoma1-AllStarGame (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

If there’s anything for AS Roma fans to be worried about following an 8-0 start to the Serie A campaign, it’s the overall health of legendary midfielder Francesco Totti.

The 37-year-old has continued to pull the strings in the midfield, but he went off injured in Friday’s 2-0 victory in the first half. After undergoing tests on Monday, Totti was ruled out for at least ten days with a hamstring injury. Roma’s medical staff will reevaluate Totti after the ten day period.

Roma will have to lean on some other players to step up in Totti’s absence, which forces him to miss matches at Udinese next Sunday and against Chievo. Totti this season has scored three times and recorded six assists in eight league matches.

Here are some more stories to get your week kicked off:

WALCOTT SUFFERS INJURY SETBACK

While Arsenal were boosted this past weekend by the return of Santi Cazorla, they’ll have to wait another two weeks to have winger Theo Walcott back on the field.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that following surgery to fix an abdominal injury, Walcott had to stop his rehabilitation and he’ll likely miss the next three matches.

“Theo had a setback last Thursday,” Wenger told The Guardian. “He had to stop, to jog again, I don’t think we will see him against Dortmund, nor Crystal Palace nor Chelsea. He is at least two weeks away now.”

Walcott has suffered from injury and inconsistency nearly his whole career, but when he’s fit and in form he’s proven to be one of the best players in the Arsenal squad. The England international has only played seven times this year with just one goal scored in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.

BAYERN MUNICH LOSE DANTE FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS

Bayern Munich will have to quickly shore up their defense as they’ll be without starting centerback Dante for their Champions League match on Wednesday against Viktoria Plzen.

The Brazilian National Team member suffered an ankle sprain in the first half of Bayern’s 4-1 victory against Mainz last Saturday, forcing Dante off in the 41st minute. Tests following the injury have ruled the 30-year-old out for at least Wednesday if not longer.

Dante was a key member of Bayern’s treble-winning side last season and has played in 15 games this season already.

QUICK KICKS

Patrice Evra has admitted in an interview with a French television station that he’ll be leaving Manchester United in the summer. (REPORT)

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has been ruled out of the Gunners’ match against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League due to the five-day concussion protocol. (REPORT)

Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk could be in line for his Netherlands debut as Holland manager Louis Van Gaal will be in attendance at his next match to watch his progress. (REPORT)

Brazil have confirmed that they have set up a friendly match against South Africa on March 5, 2014 between the 2010 and 2014 World Cup hosts. (REPORT)

River Plate forward Teo Gutierrez missed a penalty kick as River Plate drew with Belgrano, 0-0. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Roma struggling without Totti? Do you believe that Walcott will have a place in the side when he returns? Do you see Dante’s injury proving to be a big loss for Bayern?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Ozil and Arsenal. Told you Ozil would tear up the EPL and Arsenal is clicking. Arsenal plays like a team from Europe and not the EPL. LOL. Quit playing out wide: use a playmaker!

    Reply
  2. I think if we can get the win at Udinese we will be fine and I’m sure Bradley will be featured in the Chievo game as a starter to let either DDR or Strootman get some rest. (Pjanic is too important to the attack) Rudi Garcia is a coach of real talent and has successfully got the boys working great in unison. Though Totti is my favorite player of all time I really believe we can get the wins without him. I say let Ljajic start at Totti’s spot and use him as the false striker as he is a good passer and has much more pace about him to get up and be the actual striker. I am surprised he has been as limited as he has but no one can question Gervinho’s excellent play so far. After Friday I really do believe the sky is the limit for these Roma lads let’s just hope the injury bug stays off the players and we stay consistent. Forza Roma!! Garcia is the new messiah.

    Reply
    • Possibly. If Pjanic is moved into Totti’s spot in the 4-3-3, then that could open up a spot for Bradley in the midfield. But so far it looks like Garcia’s preference is to put Marco Borriello in Totti’s spot, which doesn’t help our Michael out at all. That said, Gervinho is also banged up as of late, and the midfield hasn’t had any rest, so I think it’s likely Bradley can get into the lineup in the next couple of weeks for a spot start or at least some substitute minutes.

      Reply
      • Great to get mb some pt. Everyone seems to think mb should transfer during the winter window but why do you all think Roman will Allow him to do so? I don’t think he is making all that much cash and Roman is in a position to do huge things this season. Having a relatively cheap, capable do it all sub who is a proven commodity is invaluable insurance. Why would they sell or loan him?

      • So Totti injures and a smart manager would move a midfielder into a forward players position so American Michael Bradley can play? Where do you guys get these ideas from? Jokers.

      • I’ve been a Roma fan for ten years now. Pjanic has been seen as a natural replacement for Totti since he joined the team – Totti plays a withdrawn role with two wingers playing high off him. Pjanic could slot perfectly into that role, and has in the past when Totti has sat. There isn’t another natural replacement. Not saying it’s guaranteed because Garcia hasn’t had to play without Totti yet, but it’s under consideration – Italian press has been speculating on it since Totti went down. You sir, are the joker.

      • Some people just can’t wait to show how ignorant they are. As DS says, Pjanic is probably the natural man to slide in that role and if MB can get back his fitness and form from the injury, he should slot in. Not only that, but with Gervinho out, Roma may even be tempted to split MB out wide as they sometimes did last season.

      • Keep up the deception thinking that Bradley will get minutes all because Totti is injured. Ignorant? You’re a fool if you think he won’t earn his spot. People just can’t handle that he is not playing maybe not good enough to start for Roma, how about that?

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