Roma all-time XI
Guido MASETTI 1930-43 In all honesty Roma have never had an outstanding 'keeper but Masetti gets the nod just ahead of 1980s star Franco Tancredi. Masetti spent 13 years in the capital and played a staggering 338 League games. Capped twice by Italy, he wore the gloves when the Giallorossi won their first title in 1942.
Giacomo LOSI 1954-69 A tough opponent, Losi was equally comfortable on the ball with either foot. The defender holds the record number of League appearances for the side with 386 games. Was also capped by Italy on 11 occasions.
ALDAIR 1990-03Brazilian who signed for the Giallorossi after Italia '90 from Benfica. Arguably Brazil's best ever defender, he was the key defensive element for the side throughout the 1990s. Was part of the championship winning team despite spending most of the campaign on the bench. Deserved more honours than his capital stay permitted. Made over 300 League appearances.
Sebastiano NELA 1981-92 A left footed full-back who was often used on the right, Nela was part of the successful Roma side that battled for the Scudetto against arch rivals Juventus in the early 1980s. Played 281 League games for the club and did go on to represent Italy – even if he only won five caps.
Marcos CAFU 1997-03Tireless wing-back dubbed ‘Pendolino’ by fans after the high speed train that runs from Milan, whom he would later join, to Rome. Played over 100 games in Serie A for the side and was vital, along with Vincent Candela, in Roma’s title success of 2001. An established international and 1994 World Cup winner.
Agostino DI BARTOLOMEI 1972-84 A midfielder of intense quality, he led the side to an historic Scudetto success in 1983. 'Di Ba' progressed through the Roma youth ranks and captained the side to their second League title. A player equipped with excellent technical skills, midfield vision and the ability to score goals - he netted 50. Left the Olimpico after over a decade to join Nils Liedholm at Milan. Sadly committed suicide in 1994.
Paulo Roberto FALCAO 1980-85Roma passed on the opportunity to sign Zico in order to get Falcao. Tactically excellent, the great side of the 1980s developed from his head and feet. Remembered by many Italian fans for scoring that great goal against the Azzurri in the 1982 World Cup. Would leave Roma on bad terms when the club ripped up his contract following a knee injury.
Giuseppe GIANNINI 1981-95 One of the most loved Roma players of all time, Giannini was an Olimpico hero. Nicknamed 'Il Principe' he grew up in the youth ranks and became captain like Di Bartolomei and Totti. Great vision and a real footballers brain, Giannini's dedication to the Roma shirt saw him collect few honours. Made 318 League appearances, he turned down lucrative offers from Juventus and Inter.
Bruno CONTI 1973-90Roma and Italian legend who was part of the victorious 1982 World Cup winning side – and considered many as the best player of the tournament. Conti's flair and skill saw him become the club's most capped player along with Giuseppe Giannini on 47. A model professional, Conti will never be forgotten. Made 304 League appearances for the capital side.
Francesco TOTTI 1992-A Romanista from birth, Totti grew up watching the likes of Giuseppe Giannini and Rudi Voeller from the stands. Was brought up through the Giallorossi youth ranks and made his Serie A debut at just 16. Now club captain, he was a key member of the title-winning side.
Roberto PRUZZO 1978-88 Scored 106 League goals in just 240 games, Pruzzo was a supreme bomber for a decade at the Olimpico. Finished as Capocannoniere three times while in the capital in 1980-81, '81-82 and '85-86. Would only play six times for Italy without scoring.
THE COACH:
Fabio CAPELLO 1999-04Just edges out Nils Liedholm on the bench. Capello again proved that he is one of the best tacticians the world has seen after he led the side to their first championship for 18 years – breaking the Serie A points record in doing so. Had won championships with Milan and Real Madrid, before he betrayed the Giallorossi by joining arch-rivals Juventus.
This post has been edited by zvintik on 9 Mar 2009, 11:13