Football Season Guide

Last season, Roma began life under coach Gian Piero Gasperini and a lot was expected from the charismatic coach in terms of bright offensive football and results obtained, especially since they were coming off an array of dull campaigns. While they were fragile at times, especially when traveling, Roma were very solid defensively, they held the second-best defence with 31 goals conceded, but they were not very bright offensively until Malen, 14 goals and 3 assists, joined them during the winter market. Roma had actually made the top of the table come the end of November but it was just a momentary thing and they kept reaching and falling off the top 4 until mid-March. Then, they seemed to be heading to another dull finish but, in an incredible finale, they eventually achieved a long-yearned-for qualification to the Champions League. To be fair, things improved a lot when the dichotomy between coach Gasperini and senior advisor Claudio Ranieri came to an end, thus leaving the former free hands in all areas. Gasperini asked the management to strengthen the squad in order to become competitive for the title and in the Champions League as well but they struggled until now. They logically saw no reason for changes at the back, with goalie Svilar one of the best in Serie A, but they were forced to take some action since starting right-back/centre-back Celik was lured away by Juventus money. Thus, they acquired the services of centre-back Koulierakis from Wolfsburg and Molina from Atletico Madrid. And Ghilardi was signed permanently after a positive past season. Another starter, left-back Angelino, who spent the whole past season injured, was loaned out and Wesley, naturally a right-back, will thus keep acting on the left. In the midfield, they made no changes, with Pellegrini signing a new deal after a momentary release. Up-front, Malen made a permanent move but more has to be made, considering that striker Ferguson was let go and winger/attacking midfielder El Shaarawy also left.