Love is more powerful than war and power, but it must be accompanied by rationality, otherwise it is a blind, illusory dream. Pisa. Roma-Bologna 1-0.
We're heading to Pisa with the positive vibes of the match at the Olimpico. Great strength came from the love of the Roma fans, but Gasperini's tactics were crucial. Love will save the world only if accompanied by study and rationality. Only in this way will we achieve peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land.
It will be the Arena Garibaldi's (Pisa Stadium) official return to Serie A after 34 years. A heated atmosphere awaits us, and this should enhance our players' enjoyment, especially our forwards.
They play man-to-man all over the pitch. We'll have to win individual duels. Pisa is made up of players who don't have much Serie A experience, but they're hungry: if we underestimate them, they'll eat us up.
The key to the match is winning the duels between the full-backs. Angelino will have to defeat Tourè, who is a very quick full-back and often plays in the midfield line. He's so attacking that since he often builds with a long ball to Meister or Moreo, they head the ball directly to Tourè, who is deep in attack. It's also essential for our Wesley (or Rensch) to win the duel against the very strong Angori.
Just as we'll press with our three attackers on their three central defenders, they'll do the same with Moreo, Meister, and Tramoni. Tramoni, who will face Hermoso, is a low-lying striker who's good at dribbling. Moreo, who will face our Ndicka, is physically more powerful.
I would therefore like to point out that against Atalanta they often built with a long ball from the goalkeeper, Semper, but I don't rule out the possibility that against us they might opt for a ground ball option.
We're heading into the away match in Pisa with a good feeling. Bologna were a worthy opponent, but we had studied them well (as we wrote, they often looked for Orsolini in build-up play). We cornered them from the first minute to the last. They never threatened, except for a very fortuitous cross that hit the crossbar. We had plenty of chances and our usual lack of incisiveness. Well done to Wesley for deciding the game. Overall, a good performance from all our players.
| 1st Matchday Serie A | First Half | Second Half | Final Score |
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One of the factors in Roma's victory was the overwhelming love expressed in every way by the Romanista fans. Love will save the world. It is more powerful than wars and power, which often becomes paranoia, that torment so many peoples. It is more powerful than the genocide the Israeli government is perpetrating in Gaza. And it is love that moves the Jewish people, as in the time of Moses, to unite with Israeli Arabs to demonstrate their "No" to the genocide. This love will end war and hatred between Arabs and Jews.
In this sense, the historical reflection is that the tragedy of October 7, 2023, perpetrated by Hamas, was the best possible assist for Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister was under investigation for corruption and had to endure the demonstrations of the Israeli people in defense of the democracy he was trying to undermine in order to transform Israel into an authoritarian state. If it hadn't been for October 7, Bibi would likely have been tried and perhaps in prison (where he should be), but Hamas allowed the prime minister to perpetuate his power and his evil policies. The love of peace must be accompanied by the rationality of study, otherwise it is a blind, illusory dream.
Likewise, rationality must be applied when discussing peace in Ukraine. The time has come to silence the guns, but it must be a just peace. Ukraine has blocked the Russian imperialist avalanche toward Europe and deserves to have its demands respected, such as a freeze on the current Korean-style conflict, joining the European Union, and receiving NATO security guarantees. The love that leads to peace must not be senseless, but must be accompanied by rationality.
Likewise, the fans' love always requires Gasperini's study and the Romanisti's concentration on the pitch. With this spirit, we can also win at the Arena Garibaldi.
Daje Roma!
Giordano Sepi
