Perhaps, my feelings towards Roma’s recent back-to-back losses can best be expressed through the musical compositions of iconic 80’s Synthpop/New Wave bands.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Jones…
“And do you feel scared – I do
But I won’t stop and falter
And if we threw it all away
Things can only get better”
Yes, things can only get better once Luis Enrique resigns. After Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Juventus, Roma fans greeted Lucho with “Tornatene in Spagna” Before today’s match with relegation-threatened Fiorentina, the Curva Sud welcomed the Spaniard with a Va fa Napoli chant (actually, it was much meaner than that). This was preceded with every player (except Francesco Totti) receiving resounding whistles during player introductions.
For old times sake, can I get a “Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoah…”?
Sticking with the Australian keyboard wiz, we move to the next Casey Casum Top 40 classic “No One Is To Blame”.
“You can see the summit but you can’t reach it
It’s the last piece of the puzzle but you just can’t make it fit
Doctor says you’re cured but you still feel the pain
Aspirations in the clouds but your hopes go down the drain…
No one ever is to blame…”
While Enrique did claim responsibility for Sunday’s loss, he is still not blaming his system or his lack of team preparedness as evidenced by the 48 goals given up this season (in line with most relegation clubs). Simon Kjaer has been a disaster, probably responsible for half those goals. At this point, a Primavera player would do a better job. The Giallorossi have gone from giving up the least amount of goals in the first half to its polar opposite. Three first-half goals against Juventus and today, the Viola scored two minutes after kickoff. Where is the mental preparation?
More importantly, blame needs to be placed on Roma’s Director of Football and ex-Lazio youth coach, Walter Sabatini and General Manager, Franco Baldini, the architects behind Enrique’s arrival and questionable player transfers. Meanwhile, it’s devout Romanistas like myself who travel halfway around the world to support the Giallorossi that feel the pain watching Champions League hopes go down the drain.
New Order’s “Blue Monday”, or any day of the week Roma plays for that matter, sums up every Romanista’s mindset with a “How does it feel to treat me like you do?”
I just read that approximately 200 Roma fans surrounded the team bus after the game at the Stadio Olimpico demanding an audience with Luis Enrique. During the protest, fans called Roma players “Mercenaries” and asked Enrique “Where is this so-called Project?” referring to the Barcelona system he is claiming to install. With Barcelona’s incredible Champions League exit yesterday, I don’t know how much love is left for a Barcelona-inspired project? Which brings us to Dead or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round”. Is it any wonder that Roma fans feel like they are being taken for a ride? Unsportsmanlike acts have taken the place of goals and wins with blatant immaturity from Erik Lamela and Pablo Osvaldo.
And if Luis Enrique asks Romanistas for patience one more time, then he should use Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” as his intro, but he should definitely tread lightly.
After this, all that is left is Tainted Love, especially after agonizing through the Fiorentina match…
“Sometimes I feel I’ve got to run away
I’ve got to get away from the pain you drive
Into the heart of me”
I’m sorry if this conjured up memories of ill-advised hair-dos and predominantly-black wardrobes, or a recent trip to The Gap…but it needed to be said in a bittersweet tone mindful of Roma’s better days. Maybe Howard is right, things can only get better.
Let me know if you lived through these songs at Jersey institutions like The Loop Lounge in Passaic or Aldo’s in Lyndhurst.
If you want more 80’s flashbacks, then check out some of the concert tees on sale at www.FrankieRocks.com.