AS Roma: Team of the Weekend

I watched a fair amount of football this weekend - roughly around 12-16 hours worth of matches - given the size of my social circumference it was no easy task to simply block everything out and focus on the football. But with the Italian and Spanish leagues revving up this weekend I wouldn't have been able to focus had someone convinced me a happening was taking place more worthy of my attention.

And after the final whistle blew (Sorry MLS: I mean whistles in matches I will be watching) I have to admit that AS Roma were the most exciting side that took the pitch this weekend. The two goals they scored were magnificent. Defender Philippe Mexes knocked in the first off an unstoppable cross and Alberto Aquilani submitted an early contender for Goal of the Year with his 27th minute cracker. More than that, the entire side were dangerous, inventive and sharper than anyone else I watched. And that includes the English clubs that have been going for a few matches now.

I remarked earlier this summer that Ludovic Guily's transfer to Roma would go down as the best signing of the close season. If he continues to run his ass off the way he did tonight I will be more than justified in making such a statement. I mean, Thierry Henry and a Barcelona side that could not find the back of the net against Racing Santander?!?! Captain Francesco Totti had a mediocre night and that may be generous (Totti is a Vein of Form favorite I can't be too harsh or risk losing my staff to revolt). Totti still managed to bring the look of fear in the Palermo 'keeper's eyes whenever he stood over a free kick, forced him into a fantastic save on a longer range attempt and passed the ball around nicely.

I was most impressed with Mirko Vucinic. A few more matches and this guy will be knocking in the goals at a ridiculous rate. I could dedicate a paragraph to the entire starting lineup if I wanted. Rodrigo Taddei - someone I've never been high on in the past - was trouble all night for Palermo and Daniele De Rossi was his usual brilliant self. Roma 'keepr Doni was forced into some very difficult saves and to be fair did not look the strongest link in the Roma chain at times. Luckily he has the likes of Mexes and Christian Panucci around him.

Keep in mind Roma were without Juan, Alessandro Mancini and Simone Perrotta. Once those three are available I think the rest of Italy will be seriously worried. Juventus may have returned to a flying 5 goal start and AC Milan knocked in 3 of their own while keeping a clean sheet. But defending champions Inter settled for a 1-1 draw and were less than impressive against Udinese.

It was just one match - yes I am well aware of that. Inter could be the team of the weekend for the next 8 weeks for all I know. Or Barca could get their act together and win out! You never know with football. But I have to comment that Liverpool still look like the best side in England. Manchester United were just bland against Spurs today. Serious, they looked like nothing more than a tough home side and were fortunate Nani produced a wonder strike or else they would be in crisis mode right now.

And Chelsea should be thanking David James for their 3 points against Portsmouth. Real Madrid were in the Madrid derby so everything gets thrown out the window in that instance.

Anyways, based off the weekend results the side I know I'll be waiting to see again is Roma. I don't believe for a second Inter are going to run away with this title again and Roma just have the spoiler look about them.