HOW big is the Roma game? How brilliant is it to see buzzing Boro go toe-to-toe with Italy's red hot form team? How fantastic is it to have all those wild Holgate dreams come true?
It doesn't get any bigger than this. Boro are playing one of the real giants. And not just in some poxy five-pound-a-ticket-we-might-get-a -glimpse-of-that-Belgian-lad-we've-got-on-trial pre-season glorified training session that has pit our heroes against Inter Milan, Sampdoria and Atletico Madrid in the past. This is the real thing.
But where does mighty Roma's visit fit in the list of all time massive orgasmic historical occasions at the Riverside? Is this the biggest game ever?
Well, no. Of course not. Let's not get carried away. Let's try and preserve a veneer of sober objectivity.... at least until we win!
But it is big. Bigger perhaps than that first day against Chelsea. That would have been a special day of awe-inspiring New Era gawping and smiling no matter who the opposition was or what the score.
I would put it as the fifth biggest match ever at the Riverside.
Ahead of it certainly are the three Carling Cup semi-finals.
The icy Arsenal one in 2004 is especially significant because it opened the door to the glorious moment of affirmation of Boro fandom, the day at Cardiff when the tide of history turned.
And 1998's destruction of Liverpool to book a quickfire return to Wembley was not only the most narcotic sensory overload of an atmosphere ever expereinced in the ground but it was also a moment of redemption as Boro bounced back the trauma of relegation to reclaim their pride and their sense of purpose.
And 1997's drab but historic affair against lowly Stockport should not be forgotten either. Boro lost 1-0 that night (the myth is ill-founded, the Juninho team did not sweep all before them) but they edged through on away goals to book a place in a major final for the first time ever and prompt a soggy celebratory lap of honour around a rain lashed pitch. That was what counted as glamour in those days.
Just behind those three landmark moments in history - but ahead of Roma - comes last season visit of Ostrava. A little known team in the earliest possible round of Europe's minor knockout - but it was an emotional night that announced Boro's arrival on the big stage.
Roma slots in just behind that. Before this Boro's European visitors have been respectable but far from intimidating. Or glamourous. We have entertained and desptached a Lazio in meltdown, an ailing Partizan and a collection of mid-European makeweights.
Stuttgart were good but did not set the pulses racing. The only other 'big' side was Sporting Lisbon and they are not in the same league as Roma. Well they are, but they're down in the relegation zone.
Boro let themselves down badly in an insipid first half at home to Sporting. This is a chance to put that right and to show that Boro are in Europe by right and we have the power, the quality and the will to win and carve out a reputation. And to generate memories that will inspire a generation.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »