Frenchman will hope to improve on two years of disappointment for Giallorossi.
Following on from our preview of Juventus, our “Serie A Six to Watch” series continues with a closer look at Roma, who will be hoping that the appointment of Rudi Garcia this summer will ensure that they return to the upper echelons of Italy’s top flight.
Serie A giants Roma are set for yet another revolution this season, but after appointing Garcia as their new coach, they will be desperate for some long-awaited success.
The Giallorossi have undergone managerial changes to start the last three campaigns, with the failed Luis Enrique experiment proceeding Zdenek Zeman’s second spell in charge.
While both tacticians increased the entertainment factor at the Stadio Olimpico, their failure to satisfy the requirement of tangible success ultimately ensured that neither were in charge beyond a year.
Aurelio Andreazzoli took temporary control at the end of last season, but the arrival of former Lille boss Garcia now has the Roman faithful believing that they can finally achieve something special.
Their pre-season return to Trigoria was a scene of anger and frustration, with supporters still upset following the Coppa Italia final defeat to bitter city rivals Lazio.
However, a string of impressive performances have changed the mood somewhat surrounding the players, as Garcia continues to stamp his own authority on the squad.
While talented centre-back Marquinhos has departed for Paris Saint-Germain, the club have reinvested in the squad as a whole in a sensible manner.
Italian international goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis will provide a more reliable option between the posts, with Mehdi Benatia and starlet Tin Jedvaj brought in to replace the club’s former Brazilian sensation.
Benatia has a wealth of experience in Serie A from his time with Udinese, and he is expected to become a focal point in defence for the previously leaky Roma.
This summer has also seen the return of Maicon to Italian football, with the former treble winner with Inter expected to make his mark in the right-back slot. While Garcia recently admitted that the Brazilian is still some way off full fitness, if he can recapture the kind of form he displayed in Milan, he will have turned out to be an astute acquisition.
Perhaps most impressive of all though, was the summer signing of Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman. Long admired by the top clubs around Europe, the 23-year-old will be expected to continue his development alongside Daniele De Rossi and Miralem Pjanic.
Garcia has admitted that he regards the midfield as the most important area in his teams. Given the strength in depth he has at his disposal with Alessandro Florenzi and Michael Bradley on the sidelines, he will be pleased with the options he has.
It is a similar situation up front, with the evergreen Francesco Totti expected to continue his role as the creative hub of this Roma side. Erik Lamela is fast developing into one of the finest wingers in football, while the goals of Pablo Osvaldo will be crucial, provided he can keep his temperament under control.
With Gervinho re-united with his former boss after their Ligue 1 winning campaign together at Lille, coupled with Mattia Destro’s threat, the yellow and red half of Rome have plenty to look forward to next season.
Probable line-up in Serie A next season:
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