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Match UEFA Roma [H] Thursday 28/11/2024 20:00

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4-1 Win. Get an early goal, then second before half time. Then a 3rd 10minutes after half time whilst they are pressing forward. 3-1 on 83minutes. 4-1 Big Fraser belts one clear, bounces over their Goalie and in.
 
Tottenham lineup (4-2-3-1): Forster (GK) — Porro, Dragușin, Davies, Gray — Sarr, Bentancur — Johnson, Kulusevski, Son — Solanke
Injured: Vicario (ankle), Van de Ven, Richarlison, Odobert (all hamstring)
Suspended: Lankshear
 
Tonight’s clash between Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma isn’t just a meeting of two clubs on the pitch; it’s a convergence of two rich and storied football histories that have captivated fans for generations. While Spurs and Roma hail from different footballing traditions—one deeply rooted in English football’s industrious flair, the other representing the drama of Italian calcio—they share a legacy of passion, ambition, and moments of brilliance.

AS Roma: The Eternal City’s Gladiators

Founded in 1927, Associazione Sportiva Roma emerged from the merger of three Roman clubs—Fortitudo-Pro Roma SGS, Roman FC, and SS Alba-Audace—with the intent of creating a team capable of challenging the dominance of the powerful northern Italian clubs like Juventus and Inter. The only major Roman side not to join the merger was Lazio, and this decision sparked one of football’s most iconic and fiercely contested rivalries: the Derby della Capitale.

Roma’s golden years came in bursts. Their first Serie A title arrived in 1941-42, under the management of Alfréd Schaffer, an achievement all the more remarkable given the backdrop of World War II. Roma wouldn’t taste league glory again until 1982-83, led by the legendary Swede Nils Liedholm and powered by a homegrown talisman, Francesco Graziani. That era also saw them reach the European Cup Final in 1984, where they heartbreakingly lost to Liverpool on penalties in their own Stadio Olimpico.

But no discussion of Roma would be complete without mention of Francesco Totti, the "King of Rome" who spent his entire 25-year professional career at the club, scoring 307 goals and making 785 appearances. Totti embodied the Romanisti spirit, a fusion of flair, loyalty, and defiance.

Roma’s history has also been defined by tactical innovation. Under Zdeněk Zeman in the 1990s, they became synonymous with high-octane attacking football, a stark contrast to the defensive solidity typically associated with Italian teams. More recently, managers like Luciano Spalletti redefined the false-nine role with Totti, and José Mourinho brought them their first-ever European trophy, winning the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Tottenham Hotspur: The Pioneers of Glory

Founded in 1882 as Hotspur FC by grammar school boys eager to emulate their cricketing idols, Tottenham Hotspur became the first and only non-league club to win the FA Cup after the Football League’s formation, achieving this feat in 1901. The famous cockerel crest, introduced in 1909, has become one of the most iconic symbols in football.

The club’s greatest era came under Bill Nicholson, the man who defined the modern Spurs ethos of "to dare is to do." In 1960-61, Tottenham became the first club in the 20th century to win the English league and FA Cup double, playing an exciting brand of football that revolutionized the game. They didn’t stop there; in 1963, they became the first British club to win a European trophy, thrashing Atlético Madrid 5-1 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final. Over the moon to see Vicario out, what a bullying cunt he is.

Spurs have been defined by individual brilliance. Players like Jimmy Greaves, one of England’s greatest-ever goal scorers, lit up White Hart Lane during the 1960s. Later, stars like Glenn Hoddle, a magician in midfield, and Paul Gascoigne, the mercurial genius of the 1990s, carried the Spurs mantle. Modern icons such as Harry Kane, the club’s all-time leading scorer, continue to honor this tradition.

Tottenham also holds a unique connection to continental football. Under Martin Jol and later Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs brought fluid attacking football to the forefront of European competition, culminating in their unforgettable journey to the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final, only to fall short against Liverpool. Along the way, they famously toppled Ajax in one of the most dramatic semifinals in football history. That Bolton spurs cunt whips his dug wi a hose.

Shared Histories and Contrasts

While Spurs and Roma have rarely crossed paths on the competitive stage, their histories share some interesting parallels. Both clubs have been overshadowed by domestic rivals—Roma by Juventus and Lazio, Spurs by Woolwich and Chelsea—but both command immense loyalty and pride from their fan bases. Both have also played second fiddle in their leagues but have excelled in cup competitions, with Roma securing nine Coppa Italia titles and Spurs accumulating a remarkable tally of eight FA Cups and four League Cups.

Interestingly, both clubs have also had brushes with José Mourinho, with the Portuguese manager leading Roma to European glory in 2022 and guiding Spurs to a League Cup Final during his tenure (albeit with a bittersweet ending before the final itself). SpiderSpurs is a fucken wank.

Even their stadiums tell stories of grandeur and heritage. Roma’s Stadio Olimpico, shared with Lazio, has hosted World Cup finals and countless European nights, while Tottenham’s new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a marvel of modern engineering and a fortress for the club’s ambitions.

Trivia to Impress

1. Tottenham’s European First: Spurs’ victory in the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup made them the first British team to conquer Europe—a record that predates Celtic’s European Cup win in 1967.


2. Roma’s Kit History: The iconic "Giallorossi" colors of Roma—red and yellow—are derived from the traditional colors of Rome’s municipal flag.


3. Record Signings: Tottenham’s record signing is Tanguy Ndombele (£63m in 2019), while Roma’s record is Patrik Schick (€42m in 2017).


4. Gareth Bale vs Roma: Gareth Bale, one of Spurs’ greatest-ever players, made his club debut in a friendly against Roma in 2007.


5. Derby Victories: Roma have only lost the Derby della Capitale four times in the past decade, while Spurs have suffered infamous defeats in the North London Derby.




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As the two sides meet tonight, it’s not just a battle of tactics and skill—it’s a clash of legacies, of proud histories steeped in triumph and heartbreak. Whether Roma’s Romanità or Spurs’ daring spirit prevails, fans can look forward to a spectacle worthy of their remarkable heritages.
 
Stronger side than I predicted shows Ange taking it seriously as he should. Is this a new tradition that the player that does the press conference does not start?
 
35mins to kick off and the new Spurs 'Line-Ups' graphic is working well. I don't recognise many of the Roma 11 though...

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