I’ve seen more intense derbies in my life, and so, I’m prepared to concede, has John Arne Riise. Who did, however, get a good view of this one from the bench. And it could be that watching Max Tonetto take over your spot is more intense than I realize.
Still, this was a dug-in, chips-flying sort of game, and it felt like watching a child carve hunks out of a school desk with a spoon. Júlio Baptista’s repeated goings to ground must have rattled the pope’s crockery (and not just the encyclicals). And when that big, eager, Vertigo-zoom of a header finally went in, I think a few fourteenth-century doctrines about Purgatory might have been clattered briefly back into existence.
I really like Lazio’s uniforms. They look super-charged but also comfortable, like something Luke Skywalker might slip into after a bath. I’m less impressed with their philosophy of pushing their lumbering defensive line so far forward that Roma continually finds space to attack against a single defender. That said, it almost worked out for everybody’s favorite Carolina-blue quasi-fascists, as Pandev only narrowly missed a couple of good chances and Zárate only needed players who could finish a good cross to create a couple more. That said, Doni was excellent, and literally single-handedly (no, I mean literally single-handedly) preserved the Roma lead on at least two separate occasions.
Spalletti fumed in his Spalletti way, like a cross between Martin Scorsese and Kojak. Bruises were given and received. Both sides had a player sent off. I enjoyed it. But how bad do you think it would be, politically, I mean, if I picked up a Lazio shirt solely for the breathable fabrics?
Read More: Lazio, Roma, The Occasional Match Summary
by Brian Phillips · November 16, 2008
It was a good game. Suprising the scoreline was so low, considering the relentless attacking at both ends. To answer your question: it would be really, seriously terrible if you picked up a Lazio jersey. Seriously, don’t do that.
Sigh. You’re right. I know you’re right. It just…it just seems like pure luxury to own a Lazio shirt.
I have a pair of Lazio shorts and can confidently inform you that the fabric looks far more comfortable than it is. Breathable, my rear end. (So to speak. And, also, literally.)
That’s a relief, Martha, thanks. I guess I’ll have to go back to my dream of one day owning one of those plush-looking Coventry City kits from 1970…
Martha, I though I knew you . . . .
*seriously verklempt*
I bought them as a tribute to Giorgio Chinaglia, Ursus! Surely you can understand that!
And, Brian, now you’re talking — nothing like the feel of terrycloth against the skin.
Mitigating circumstances. I would defend you. And there’s something poetic in choosing to honour fugitive-from-justice Chinaglia with shorts.
Though your last line has given me a Belle and Sebastian earworm.
All I know is, you’re both beautiful people.