betting
Roma
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Ranieri’s title ambitions
New signings have brought with them a lot of enthusiasm in the Italian capital. Despite still being a step behind Milan and Inter in terms of quality on paper they have one of the most complete and well knit teams. Their manager is also very knowledgeable of the league and has got the right experience – ingredients which neither Allegri nor Benitez can boast in as much quantity as the Roma-born Giallorossi coach.
Coach: Ranieri
Tactics: 4-3-2-1
Players In: Borriello, N. Burdisso, Adriano, Simplicio, Castellini, G. Burdisso
Players Out: Toni, Guberti, Motta, Cerci,
Current Probable Formation: Julio Sergio, Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Riise, Perrotta, Pizarro, De Rossi, Menez, Totti, Borriello
One of the few teams to actually add on players to the squad, Roma is this year determined to prove itself a strong team with a brand name in both Italy and Europe. The reason may be more financial than anything else though as president Rosella Sensi, together with Roma’s financial support Unicredit and the advisors brought in to conclude the deal, seek to sell the team to someone who can guarantee them the right price and give them assurances on the stability of the team.
The last minute
arrival of Borriello is to be looked at in this perspective. The target for the
club and Unicredit is at the moment that of making the club as attractive
financially as possible. Borriello sure does add to that just as the ability to
secure defender Burdisso. Both players had 
refused to be transferred to
Juventus and instead preferred adherence to the ambitious project which Roma
have in mind for this season. The Giallorossi are also competing in the
Champions League this year after an incredible race last year that saw them run
out of breath in the final few metres to the Scudetto. Mourinho was yet again
Ranieri’s black knight so he must have secretly sighed in relief at the news
that the man who had also replaced him at the Chelsea helm when Abramovich took
over had opted to try his hand at la Liga.
His main contenders for the ultimate prize this year have the names of Allegri and Benitez. The latter will need time to get used to life in Serie A and most likely will also be damning the name of Mourinho as he tries to fill in big shoes at Inter. Allegri, on the other hand, already knows the league well but he loses out the battle of experience with Ranieri. He is also not used to dealing with the star players and this may prove an obstacle. It is, however, Allegri who has at his disposal the big names. Nonetheless Roma have very little to be jealous of. The team may not be as highly regarded as that of Milan and Inter but the group is strong. The fact that there have ultimately been very few changes to the starting eleven will make it even easier for Roma on their way to the title.
Goalkeeper Julio Sergio has proven himself reliable, having dethroned Doni from the starting line-up. The defence is quite solid as well, having been last season’s second best behind that of Inter and Milan. No wonder that Ranieri insisted only on having one player this summer – Nicolas Burdisso. The Argentine international was an integral part of the team last year but he had been on loan from Inter. After some tough negotiations Roma finally gave in to Inter’s demands as they matched Juventus’ offer for the defender. With his brother settling at the club over the summer, however, Nicolas Burdisso has made it clear that he only wanted to play for the club from the Italian capital. Juan and Mexes are the other two central defenders who Ranieri can call on, making their defence one of the best in the league. Riise, on left-back, goes on the make the backline a wonder, whilst the right-back role will probably be given to Cassetti or alternatively Burdisso, allowing Juan and Mexes to both play as central defenders.
Ranieri’s three-man midfield cannot do without the services of Pizarro, who acts very much like Pirlo at Milan. He will have to deal with an injured knee that does need surgery, which however the player and the club are trying to do without. He will be extremely valuable if fit enough to play. De Rossi and Perrotta are two other important men. The youngster has not been performing to his levels since the World Cup but the coach should not be waiting long to see the old De Rossi. Simplicio, a new arrival from Palermo, is the most realistic option for taking on Pizarro’s role when the latter is unavailable. Brighi should guarantee some cover-up in midfield and he has good legs and speed as well. Taddei can provide a more attacking stance and should therefore be employed as one of the three more advanced players rather than in midfield, just as he was used to in his earlier years at Siena.
The attacking department includes five names of calibre –
Totti, Borriello, Adriano, Vucinic and Menez. Out of all five it is the
Frenchman that holds little appeal but he is the man from whom Ranieri is
expecting a lot this year and in all truth he is the one 
who should be playing
most given that he is the only one who can hold a deeper position as an
attacking midfielder or wide on the pitch. Totti’s 34 years prevent him from
taking on that job whilst the other three play in a more advanced attacking
position. Menez does have the quality but has failed to command a position in
the team over the past two seasons. He has not been continuous in his
performances but if Roma are to reach the heights they are hoping for at the
end of this season they will need him in his best of shape.
The starting pair in attack will be Totti and Borriello with the veteran playing just in behind the ex-Milan striker. Totti’s immense technical abilities and his powerful shot will be put at better use with him in that advanced position. With Borriello, or Adriano when he does get in shape, hovering in front of him the 34-year old will have a valid option on whom to fall back when the goal is not clear for the shot. This will allow Roma to take advantage of Totti’s great passing skills as well.
Vucinic may be played in Totti’s position or else in place of Borriello. However, just like Adriano, the Montenegro striker should ultimately settle for a role that asks of him to stay wide on the flank and run with the ball towards the opponents. Ranieri does have multiple options in attack and finally can be able to count on a pure striker able to slip in that ball into the net even when the team is tired and underperforms. This can be the main difference and the improvement on last year’s campaign that went by just two points shy of the Scudetto.
Predicted finishing position: 1st
The most representative player of Roma, captain Totti, has always inexplicable shied away on the bigger international stage for both Italy and Roma in the Champions League. The competition should not hold as much interest for the fans either who have already been asking the team for the Scudetto, which they so cruelly lost out on last May. Ranieri is the more experienced manager at the helm of the stronger sides this year and he does deserve to finally shake off the title of eternal loser. Conquering a prestigious domestic title for his native city would be just compensation for his illustrious, yet rarely rewarding, career.
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