Fútbolita

It looks like zio Ranieri is getting himself all worked up – or rather, excited – over the possibility of the ToniTotti pairing for Roma this weekend against Genova. He even compared the spectacle to Drogba’s favourite film, Avatar! Ok, we made that last bit up about your beloved Diving genius, but whatever you say, Tsu’tey the clan leader is still his twin.

“There are more expectations to see Totti-Toni than (the opening of) ‘Avatar’ itself” said Ranieri. By the way, the film opens to the Italian public on Friday and you know Marcello Lippi already bought his 3-D glasses in hopes of seeing the tribe’s princess in all her blueness. “Let’s hope that the captain recovers (from tendinitis). When he is fit, will talk about how he can play for Roma,” added Ranieri.

One of Argentina’s starlets, Eduardo “Toto” Salvio is set to become an Atletico Madrid player… and yes, he’s touted to be Kun Aguero’s replacement (so that he can finally make that dream move to wherever he wants). Los colchoneros fans must be thrilled!

It cost 8 million to bring Toto to the club (caro, tal vez?) because his former club, Lanús charged EUR 6.8 million and the Argentine Football Association paid an additional 1.2 million euros. The rest will be paid in installments and the player arrives in Madrid on Friday. Toto is probably frantically packing away now, knowing that neither Forlan nor Kun will not be sharing their toothpaste tubes with him!

The Barca Elections are back and while the club’s vice-president, Jaume Ferrer, has declared that he wants to run for position of president this year, Joan Laporta feels “hurt to learn this from the media” instead of from Ferrer directly. “Of course we not limit the choices of anyone to be president and we have already discussed this,” Laporta said.

One interesting addition to the Barca elections if the grand-daughter of the club’s founder itself, Emma Gamper. She will be backing candidate Jaume Guixà, who is also running for presidency. “ Is a great thrill for any (of us) to have the legacy of Joan Gamper in their ranks and I have this privilege,” said Guixa.

As always… here’s a spoof from the Crackovia folks about Sandro Rosell - the club’s former director, who is also running for president. Genial!

via Reuters, El Mundo Deportivo

Look, even David Albelda can’t help himself from smiling for the cameras! And you can’t really blame him, after Los Che battled back from a goal down to win this away match against Athletic Bilbao last night. Goals by Villa and Mathieu cancelled out 16-year-old Iker Munain’s strike (the young striker is a cross between the Pique and Torres breed, in case you were curious and even if you were, shame on you for checking out jailbaits).

Also, Queridos futbolitas, everyone loves The Villa at Valencia, so if all goes as planned, he’s all set to be a One Club man ala Raul The Great One. Ignore the calls from distant lands, tipo! We can’t imagine him elsewhere. The only image in our minds of Villa is the exact same one portrayed in that photo above…. where he’s smiling blissfully in a sea of sunflowers.

Roma wins Il Derby Capitolino

We thought Juventus’s Chiellini was the real Phantom of the Opera, but damn, De Rossi has the moves to pull it off! Anyway, Roma’s fans will definitely be celebrating their victory over their fiercest rivals, Lazio in the city today. Their ultras went berserk again – letting off firecrackers and fighting in the stands, but like the Messiah (below), they all wanted to see the Opera.

Nevermind that – Marco Cassetti’s only goal was enough to secure all 3 points for Totti’s side. Even he couldn’t help himself during the celebrations by taking off his shirt – but Cassetti went one step further by knocking down the advertising billboards. Dude, ti credi di essere cool? (dude, you think you’re cool?!)

Both Milan and Roma pulled off wins in their respective games against Bologna and Fiorentina yesterday. Inter also managed a 2-1 victory over Cagliari thanks to a Diego Milito double. “The pitch was awful, the ball bounced in a strange way, but in the end it went well and these points are very important. We’re playing every two days now,” said Julio Cesar.

Roma won their second game in the Serie A this season with a 3-1 win over Fiorentina thanks to goals from Prince Totti and De Rossi. “I would like to dedicate this victory to all of my friends, fans and the club, who all work hard during the week, and then are always there to support us,” declared De Rossi.

Elsewhere, the Rossoneri had good ol’ Seedorf to thank for securing three precious points for them. “I’m not using triumphant tones for this victory, there’s still many things to do,” said coach Leoooo. “My triumph was the commitment the team showed against Bologna. The players did a lot, they showed their pride from the beginning to the end. Now there is a fighting mentality; talent mixed in with desire and organisation.”

The Dinho was benched due to the flu. “There’s no Ronaldinho issue,” added Seedorf. “He’s part of the squad. Here in Italy people are always looking for pointless issues.”

Yes, you’re possibly looking at a Totti and Bruno-Greaseano-Phelps cross breed. But more importantly, what’s with his shirt?! It says “Never Without You” – rather prominently, might we add. What’s that supposed to mean? (Well, we found out that “Never Without You” is not a shampoo slogan, but rather, a clothing brand that Totti and his wife have contracts with. Desculpe para a estupidez)

Anyway, this piece made his way to the World Water Sports event yesterday and his appearance caused an “uproar” among fans who had turned up at the Water Park at the Italian forum.

Unfortunately, Greaseano has lost the battle of the tans to Tantti over here.