Roma

—

Location: Reggio Calabria
Manager: Luciano Spalletti
Ground: Stadio Olimpico (Capacity: 72,698)

Pre-Season Training Began July 21 in Trigoria
Friendlies Played: Roma 3-1 Steaua Bucharest (July 26); Roma 0-0 Monaco (August 2); Roma 3-0 Al Ahly (August 5); Roma 0-5 Tottenham (August 10); Roma 1-0 Frosinone (August 14)

—

In : Vincenzo Montella (S, Sampdoria); John Arne Riise (D, Liverpool); Simone Loria (D, Siena); Aleandro Rosi (M, Chievo); Guilherme Arthur (G, Siena); Marco Andreolli (D, Vicenza); Julio Baptista (S, Real Madrid)

Out : Ahmed Apimah Barusso (M, Siena); Gianluca Curci (G, Siena); Amantino Mancici (M, Inter); Matteo Ferrari (D, Free Agency); Ludovic Giuly (S, PSG); Carlo Zotti (G, Contract Expired); Adrian Pit (M, Pisa);

Negotiating For : Florent Malouda (M, Chelsea); David Di Michele (S, Torino); Lulas Podolski (S, Bayern Munich); Jeremy Menez (S, Monaco); Anderson Luis Nene (S, Monaco); David Suazo (S, Inter); Nery Castillo (S, Man City); Edy (S, Sevilla)

Transfer Rating: 7.5

—

It’s almost scary how loaded this Roma side is this year.  The Giallorossi have to be mentioned in the list of contenders for the Scudetto this season, especially if Francesco Totti gets back to maximum fitness.  The Roma captain injured his knee in April, and has been working on his recovery since.  He plans to make his first competitive appearance since the injury in the upcoming Italian Super Cup this Sunday.

Although Roma lost their key playmaker to Inter in Amantino Mancini, they have done an excellent job in the summer market.  Following Mancini’s departure, Roma were on a search for an attacker all summer.  They found their difference maker in Real Madrid’s “Beast,” Julio Baptista.  Baptista is also preparing to make his debut in the Super Cup match.  The 26-year-old will fit in well in the Eternal City, as he will be used in the attacking role he feels best suits him.

"I became known here in Europe as a support striker at Seville but at Real I never played there,” Baptista said. "Playing in midfield at Real Madrid, I couldn’t capitalise on my skill. What is for certain is that here I’ll be able to express my attacking nature to its best."

Roma have also make a big splash in the summer market when they brought in Norwegian John Arne Riise from Liverpool. Riise is a tough defender who is an excellent finisher inside the box, frequently finding the back of the net.  Riise’s move came as a surprise to most, but the 27-year-old is convinced it was the right move at this stage of his career.

“Clubs like Liverpool are always looking round the world for players, and there is always going to be someone new challenging you,” Riise said. “I spent seven years at Liverpool and played more than 250 games. The challenge in Italy was the right one for my career and the time was right to change to another country.”

The Giallorossi have a laundry list of star-caliber players and plenty of depth.  Players such as Mirk Vucinic, Rodrigo Taddei, Mauro Esposito, Max Tonetto, Marco Cassetti, and Stefano Okaka Chuka might end up fighting for playing time, despite the fact that they all could be starting on any Serie A team.  The situation with Italian national Alberto Aquilani is also an interesting one.  The midfielder’s future has been up in the air after disputes over his contract renewal.  While rumors have surfaced it might even lead to Aquilani quitting the club, Juventus are known to be pursuing the 24-year-old.  Juve fans have even launched an online petition to get their club to sign Aquilani.

—

Prediction: League winners. This has to be the year for Roma. They are stacked with talent and I believe they have what it takes to win the Champions League as well.

Probable Formation: 4-2-3-1
Doni; Riise, Juan, Mexes, Panucci; Pizarro, De Rossi; Perotta, Baptista, Taddei; Totti

—

New Kits for 2008-09:

Amantino Mancini has officially joined Inter this afternoon after the Nerazzurri agreed to a deal with Roma.  The 28-year-old Brazilian has spent five successful years with the Giallorossi, and has been one of Jose Mourinho’s main summer targets as he looks to build his Inter side.

Terms of the deal are not yet officially known, but early indications say that the Inter will pay around €13-€15 million euros for the player.  Mancini will sign a four year deal worth €3.5 million per season.

“Both parties are satisfied,” Inter director Gabriele Oriali said. “It wasn’t easy but in the end we reached an agreement, therefore we’re all happy.”

Meanwhile, Inter remain keen on also bringing Cheslea midfielder Frank Lampard to San Siro, but the situation at his current club remains unresolved.