With the likes of Luis Enrique and Zdeněk Zeman dispatched, things are looking decidedly more positive for Roma at the start of the new campaign. Former Lille boss Rudy Garcia took over ahead of the new season, and has led Roma to five straight domestic wins in Serie A and to a place on top of the table.
The French trainer moves to the Italian capital with a solid reputation from his homeland. He led Les Dogues to the Ligue 1 title in 2010-11 and supporters of his new employers will hope he can replicate this success in Italy over the next coming years.
Despite a relatively favourable fixture list to date, Roma have gone about their business with vigour and looked like a team transformed under Garcia. Five victories, 12 goals and only one conceded equates to a dream start to the campaign for the capital city side, with a 2-0 derby win over Lazio stirring the passions also.
Three of the Giallorossi’s victories have been away from the Stadio Olimpico against Livorno, Parma and Sampdoria, while Hellas Verona were also dispatched in a 3-0 victory on home soil.
It has not only been a new manager at the helm of the club, but substantial upheaval in the playing squad over the summer also. The side have sold seemingly key players in the off-season, with more than €100 million being recouped.
Impressive Brazilian defender Marquinhos was sold at considerable profit to Paris Saint-Germain, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was shipped off to Fulham and Pablo Osvaldo was allowed to leave to join Southampton. Meanwhile, Erik Lamela, arguably the club’s best performer in 2012-13, moved to Tottenham to replace Real Madrid-bound Gareth Bale.
Garcia has invested the money received wisely, with the club making a notable profit in the summer transfer merry-go-round to boot. Arguably the most significant of the new faces to arrive at the club is that of Kevin Strootman. The Netherlands international midfielder has captained his nation and moves to Rome from PSV Eindhoven despite keen interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides. Alongside Daniele De Rossi and Miralem Pjanić, Roma have one of the most accomplished midfields in Italy.
Other new faces include controversial but supremely talented playmaker Adem Ljajić, who moves from Fiorentina with the reputation of being ill-tempered but also mercurial at his best. The Serbian attacking midfielder has been bought as a direct replacement for Lamela, and could well be a match winner for the side if Garcia can get the best from him.
Veteran goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis has moved from Napoli as a safe pair of hands, while Mehdi Benatia has joined from Udinese. The African centre-half has been one of the most consistent and reliable defenders in Serie A for some seasons now, and will add assurance to a Roma backline that has been too susceptible to soft goals over the last number of years. Maicon has returned to Italy after an unsuccessful spell at Manchester City, and straight away looks more comfortable back in Serie A.
A final signing of note is former Arsenal attacker Gervinho, who swapped the English capital for the Italian one in a €8 million deal. The Ivory Coast international never really lived up to his potential at the Emirates Stadium, but if anyone can get the African back to his best it is his new, and old, boss.
Gervinho played a significant role in Lille’s 2010-11 title success under Garcia, teaming up with Eden Hazard and Moussa Sow to make an at-times unstoppable forward line. He scored his first goal for Roma in a recent win, and given time his acquisition could be an inspired piece of business.
A club with a huge fan base and rich history, Roma’s new look side under Rudy Garcia no longer solely depends on stalwarts De Rossi and Francesco Totti to lead them into contention. With a strong start under their belt, an exciting season lies ahead for the Stadio Olimpico outfit.
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