Storyline: Are AS Roma capable of managing a full Serie A marathon and finishing on top? They’ve made progress, but many issues remain to be addressed. Written by Spyros Kontolatis, Athens Greece
The end of the previous season found AS Roma exactly where they were two years ago: placed second, many points behind FC Juventus.
Some things have changed during this summer and other things have remained the same, but the same question lingers: Are AS Roma capable of managing a full Serie A marathon and finishing on top?
Bogdan Lobont (Photo courtesy zimbio.com)
Before answering, let’s look at the current roster. The Roma starting eleven this year will begin with either Bogdan Lobont or Morgan De Sanctis, two of the most experienced goalkeepers in the entire Serie A. In the centre of defence Manolas, Yanga Mbiwa, and Leandro Castan will fight for two positions. On the left, Ashley Cole stands alone; and, on the right, Rudy Garcia will trust in either Vassilis Torosidis or Maicon.
For midfielders the solutions to the Roma coach are many. Two or three positions (depending on whether the formation will be 4-4-2 or 4-3-3) will be held by Pjanic, De Rossi, Keyta, Nainggolan, Ucan, or Strootman.
Strootman is also a good bet this year. Will he return to the quality games he had before his serious injury? If the answer is, yes, then Roma will have one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe. Add Alessandro Florenzi, who can fill in many positions, and you can safely bet that the AS Roma’s midfield will be full this season.
But the offence, to my mind, lacks a prominent figure who can pave the way with goal-scoring ability. I recall the last Scudetto of AS Roma (2001), when the striker position was held by Gabriel Batistuta. Roma haven’t managed to find such a scorer till now. So the offence, as it is now, will have Gervinho and Iturbe on the flanks, who can open up spaces with their great dribbling skill. The striker role will be played by Ljajic, Doumbia or Ibarbo.
Courtesy: fundosdelcalcio.com
Last, but surely not least, is the capitano. Francesco Totti proudly starts his 22nd season at AS Roma. However impressive as that may be, he also steps into his 39th year of age. It is unclear whether, and how much, he will manage to contribute this season. He is, without doubt, a prominent figure who can inspire anybody to give one’s best for the team. He still has it. And he can still offer minutes of pure football magic, just like he’s always done, But the amount of those minutes is unclear.
Roma also needs one or two more players in key positions, probably a role defender, who can play more than one position and a prominent striker, too, to manage the marathon. The last two years in a frenzy but, around January-February, things went downward behind a series of consecutive draws or losses.
Roma need a new leader to complete the squad and become serious title contenders. I don’t see De Rossi becoming Totti’s successor, and the capitano has reached a point in his career where he cannot contribute full-time on the field. Finding that leader may prove to be difficult and time consuming.
After all, you can’t expect to always have a player with the personality and talent of a Francesco Totti.
