Football Season Guide

Just two seasons ago, Roma were about to win the Scudetto thanks to an impressive and unstoppable race that even brought them to overtake Inter, who would have later triumphed there and in the Champions League. Ranieri was in charge and there seemed to be a team, alive and with an identity. After the past season, though, the identity got certainly lost and there were hardly any signs of life in Roma. The arrival of the new, American, management brought a new, fashionable, coach, that is Luis Enrique from the renowned cantera of Barcelona. Together with him arrived several players who are expected to bring some enthusiasm there where there seemed to be no more. One thing is sure, at least, after a long time, Roma have a solid goalkeeper again, thanks to former Ajax Stekelenburg. That is certainly the best news of the transfer campaign which saw several stars leaving. Among them, Vucinic, Mexes, Menez and Riise. The two defenders have been replaced by Jose Angel, who is going to be the left-back, and Heinze, who is going to rotate with Juan and Burdisso at the centre. Cassetti is confirmed as the right-back. Then, in the midfield, considering that Luis Enrique adopts a 4-3-3 formation, De Rossi should be sided by Taddei and Perrotta. As for the attack, ever-lasting Totti will be helped by Bojan and Lamela, who are a bit too inexperienced. The doubts surrounding the new Roma are all well-founded. Luis Enrique wants to impose a play made of pressure and rapidity, which is good. He can only rely on dinosaurs and youngsters, though, and that is extremely bad. Moreover, the feeling is that the squad is still incomplete, being particularly fragile in the midfield. If nothing happens in the final days of the transfer campaign, Luis Enrique will have a hard time in Rome.