Just when Roma was enjoying a red-hot run, the early-season strugglers have been hit with some more adversity.
As if losing to Catania on Sunday wasn't bad enough, now Roma is facing the prospect of losing Francesco Totti for up to two month with a thigh injury. The injury could put a major crimp in the Romans' attempts to climb up the Serie A standings after starting the year off terribly.
Totti could be forced to miss at least part of Roma's highly-anticipated Champions League showdown vs. Arsenal, which is facing its own potentially nightmarish injury news. Playmaker Cesc Fabregas suffered a knee injury in Sunday's tie vs. Liverpool. The full extent of the injury won't be known until Tuesday, but the Spanish star is expected to miss at least three weeks.
Here are some other stories to get your day started:
Vidic facing Champions League ban
Lost in the wake of Manchester United's successful run through the FIFA Club World Cup, which culminated with a 1-0 victory against LDU Quito in the final, was the fact that star defender Nemanja Vidic just might wind up missing UEFA Champions League match following his red card in Sunday's final.
Vidic will, at the very least, miss Manchester United's first-leg Champions League match against Inter Milan, but could face up to a three-match European ban depending on how FIFA interprets his actions that led to the red card.
America de Cali crowned champions
When Diego Alvarez scored the opening goal for Independiente Medellin in their Colombian championship match against America de Cali, the large crowd in Cali was suddenly quiet. That quiet didn't last long though as America rattled off three unanswered goals to post a 3-1 second-leg victory and 4-1 aggregate victory to secure its 13th Colombian championship.
America's Adrian Ramos gave the home side the series advantage back just eight minutes after Alvarez' goal, finishing off a beautiful long-range strike. A pair of second-half goals sealed Medellin's fate.
The championship ties America with Bogota-based Millionarios for most Colombian titles.
What do you think of the above stories? Will Roma fade in the Serie A standings without Totti? Will losing Fabregas prove too much for Arsenal? Think Vidic deserves a full three-game ban for his elbow?
Share your thoughts below.
How the Hell does America keep winning while being on the Clinton List?
anyway…JUNIOR TU PAPA!!! we’ll get our 6th next year
@Kpugs
It’s 28!!
and I only mention it considering Ives made mention to Colombia.
Any word on how the signing of Tomas Galasek at Monchengladbach (a DM), will effect Bradley’s place in the squad?
I believe three-match bans should only be enforced in extreme circumstances. A one-match ban for Vidic is enough. One game out will not make him act differently in the future as opposed to three games. Make him sit a game out, he’ll get the message, let’s get on with the football.
Duthie, it’s Chile. People care about as much for a Chilean football club winning 20 titles as they would for an MLS club doing the same.
Don’t get me wrong here…I personally think that is a great accomplishment, 20 championships in 83 years, that’s a great record. But no one really cares about it on the world stage, even if they should. Winning a quarter of the championships since your existence is actually awesome.
I didn’t see the Vidic foul, but what I did read was that the South American (surprise surprise) Claudio Bieler was rolling around like he had just been shot, only to IMMEDIATELY come back into the match as soon as the ref would let him with literally no ill effects.
I’m not saying it didn’t deserve a red card, but I can’t see how falling victim to the most famous aspect of the South American game should result in a 3-match-ban.
uuumm. no, duh, guavaguy was correct.
nothing about Colo Colo winning it’s 28 title pushing them into the worldwide top 20 teams in pro football with the most championships?
Thanks Guava, I adjusted the references to the club to read America rather than Cali.
I believe the reference to Cali above, was to the city itself…not either of the clubs…it sometimes helps to read things in their context.
This week was a bit iffy when you think about it. I’m not even sure who got time. Jozy didnt get time. Freddy got like 16 minutes. Clint got a full 90 a goal and a half assist( he let the ball pass through his legs for Andy Johnson). Those were basically the only people i was keeping track of.
Totti will prob be back in 1 or 1 and a half months… Should be fine for Champions League…
What Ives? You didnt like the first picture of Totti? :p
With matches at Villa Park, Hull & Goodison Park coming up, Arsenal will have to find inspiration from someone else or fall off the grid for even the top 4!
I would like to talk Dempsey, and Yanks abroad.
Ives, América de Cali should not be referred to as “Cali”. That name is reserved for city rivals Deportivo Cali. The proper abbreviation for América de Cali is simply “América”. Calling América “Cali” is like calling Inter Milan “Milan”.
No Aqualani and no Totti.. means its gonna be tough spell for Roma