Liverpool’s CEO has shared a scouting report from their 1984 European Cup final against Roma.
The Reds won the trophy on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, and the two sides meet again next week in the Champions League semi-finals.
Ahead of the match, the club’s CEO Peter Moore has gone back through the archives, to find a scouting report on the Giallorossi compiled by Tom W. Saunders before that final.
Liverpool’s CEO has shared a scouting report from their 1984 European Cup final against Roma.
The Reds won the trophy on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, and the two sides meet again next week in the Champions League semi-finals.
Ahead of the match, the club’s CEO Peter Moore has gone back through the archives, to find a scouting report on the Giallorossi compiled by Tom W. Saunders before that final.
Dated May 13 1984, the report praises Agostino Di Bartolomei, noting that he “runs the midfield” with his “excellent distribution”.
The Liverpool scout had never seen Falcao before, and were impressed with his “brilliant ball control”, while Bruno Conti was seen as “the most aggressive attacking player… prepared to shoot from any position”.
The 1984 final is remembered for Bruce Grobelaar’s “jelly legs” in the shoot-out, and there is a section of the report dedicated to penalties.
It was noted that Di Bartolomei “waits for the goalkeeper to make his move” before striking it – although semi-final opponents Dundee United are confused for their city rivals, Dundee.
It’s recommended that Grobelaar be told to “stand his ground until the kick is taken” – though there’s no mention of what to do with his legs.
Goalkeeper Francesco Tancredi was identified as a weak link who “made mistakes in Scotland against Dundee [United]”.
Centre-back Dario Bonetti – who was later joint-manager of Dundee with his brother Ivano – was “very impressive” against Verona while Falcao’s impact is “on par with Graeme Souness”.
Of Conti, the scout simply says “this player will cause problems”.
Saunders advised that “the battle will need to be won in midfield”, noting that manager Bob Paisley thought Roma were “the best team he’s seen in the competition so far”.
Eagerly looking forward to reacquainting ourselves with our old friends @ASRomaEN In anticipation, we went through the archives today and found these gems – scouting reports from Tom Saunders,including recommending Bruce doesn't move his feet on penalties. No mention of his knees pic.twitter.com/B4nkJVQzyc
— Peter Moore (@PeterMooreLFC) April 18, 2018