Never in million years did I think I’d be writing this article at this moment in time. Roma as Serie A contenders? Even Roma Fans would have laughed at that a year ago.
But not anymore.
Roma was my favorite team to watch in Serie A last season. With Jose Mourinho at the helm, one never truly know what they’re in store for. He could win you the title, or he could get sacked before Christmas. That’s just how he has been of late. Yet, there was something different about Jose last season. He was almost…content with Roma’s sixth place finish. He looked like a man who knew that there was a bigger picture than just getting top 4 and into the champions league.
That bigger picture ended up being Roma’s UEFA Conference League title win. For the first time in Roma’s storied history, the Giallorossi won a major European title. Okay, calling the Conference League a major European trophy is a massive stretch. But you wouldn’t think so by watching the reactions of Roma’s players and fans.
They were ecstatic. Even Jose Mourinho was crying. That’s how much enthusiasm and energy that title win put in this club.
One has to remember that before Jose arrived, Roma was languishing in 7th and 8th place. Aka…mid-table mediocrity. A disease worse than the bubonic plague for a club like Roma. The days of Francesco Totti and Daniele de Rossi winning Serie A titles and going on improbable Champions League runs was well and truly ancient history.
However, Jose Mourinho’s arrival has changed everything. Like I said, there is new life in the Italian capital. And a large part of that has to do with the major singings Jose Mourinho has made: Tammy Abraham, Paulo Dybala, Nemanja Matic, and Rui Patricio.
With an attacking force consisting of Tammy Abraham, Nicolo Zaniolo, and now Paulo Dybala, that puts Roma’s offense at the very pinnacle of Italian football. Plus, adding longtime Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic was a brilliant choice to complement Lorenzo Pelligrini and Bryan Cristante.
Magic’s defensive awareness will give Pelligrini and Cristante the license to drive with ball forward more. Meanwhile, Jordan Veretout and the young Gonzalo Villar can serve as serviceable backups if any of the starting three (Pelligrini, Cristante, and Matic) get suspended, hurt, or just need a rest.
Yes, Roma’s defense is there glaring weakness. But if they can bring in Man Utd outcast, center-back Eric Bailly, then that changes the whole dynamic of this team. Bailly brings sheer athleticism and speed that can enable Roma’s back line to press higher up the field and become more engaged in possession. Plus, they always have Rui Patricio to bail them out when needed. He may not be Iker Casillas reborn, but Patrico can be a title winning goalkeeper under the right circumstances.
Is proclaiming Roma a true title contender somewhat presumptuous? Yeah, probably. But can I see Roma making it into the top 4 and back into the Champions League next season? I don’t see why not.
They need the Porto-version of Jose Mourinho to work his magic on this scrappy, ambitious roster. If he can do that, then Roma should easily finish within the Top 4 and earn a place in the Champions League after five long years of missing out. Who knows, they may even win another European trophy this season as they are set to take compete for the UEFA Europa League.
Images Sources: Featured Image:
