Turn out the Lights, the Parties Over

By: Jeremy | May 11th, 2009

Am I the only one alive in the 70s who used to watch Monday Night Football and couldnt wait to hear Don Meredith sing that song when one team was clearly out of it? Thats kind of how I felt after Roma second goal yesterday which all but ended our European dreams. I dont know what is worse, getting an ass kicking or giving away a game, especially when it comes to two of your direct rivals.

The past two games have shown that this team still needs something, and what is I dont know, if it wants to be a european contender. The loss to Palermo was kind of expected, even if not to such extremes, but when given another chance, at home to a deflated Roma club, to go up two goals only to give them back in the final 30 minutes, that loss has to hurt more. Instead of being one point from a european spot, we remain four points out with one less game and another rival, Udinese, looking like they want to surprise everyone and take the final spot.

The game yesterday was pretty sloppy, especially defensively. While Matris header was quality, and he still seems to give us some hope that he can be a legit Serie A striker, the other goals were all that inspiring. The bottom line is that we were at home, up 2-0, and gave it back in the second half. Inexcusable. What makes it even more frustrating is that Palermo, not surprisingly, crapped out on the road to a tough to play against Siena. They have to be just as frustrated.

While four points is not a lot, even in three weeks, there are just too many factors that should finally have ended our European dreams. We hit Reggina on the road next week, a tough game against a team who can still survive with the right breaks, and then with an unmotivated Inter at home, and Udinese on the road, we simply cannot expect to make up these points. Yesterday was our shot and we failed so reality needs to set back in. This will turn out to have been a great season, but one left with so many what ifs. Its an improvement we are discussing what ifs while still as a member of Serie A rather then after being relegated.

The team should still play out the rest of the season with effort and anything can happen as Palermo and Roma have both shown they can give away games. With some luck, the final game with Udinese will mean something, but the reality is we need to start looking at the offseason.

Sponsorship and stadium improvements are certainly an issue but we cannot escape the fact that we still need to improve the team. The disappointing finish to the season could slow the Allegri leaving rumors and his quality will draw players. We have made it clear we want Acquafresca back and while he is not ready for first team football at Inter, I think the lure of Milito and european football will cause him to spend another season on loan, but next year at Genoa. He has been a good representative of our improvement over the past two years, but expecting him back for a third year to continue his development is asking a bit much. Lets hope Inter shows us some good will and allows us to have him for another year, but I dont expect it.

After a great run of games, we have let off the gas a bit and seem to be coasting home. Lets see if the players can show their supporters that they are willing to give it all the rest of the year. As for yesterday, just add it to the recent Genoa game and the first match with Roma this year as probably the most frustrating results which have cost our team a real chance at finding a place in europe which would have opened so many doors for us, even if we would have played our home games elsewhere.