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With both Daniele De Rossi and Luca Toni coming out this week in support of a possible Giallorossi Scudetto challenge, critics are now considering whether or not to take Roma seriously as title contenders. Inter sit eight points in front of them and with Jose Mourinho in charge and the players at his disposal, the smart money has to be on a Nerazzurri success come the end of the season.
But Claudio Ranieri’s Roman revolution has seen the Eternal City club unbeaten in all competition for three months now since their 2-1 away defeat to Udinese on October 28, which is a fantastic run at any level. And, as De Rossi pointed out this week, Inter have the small matter of the Champions League return coming up – a competition which has become of prime importance to Massimo Moratti after years of European failures.
True, Roma do have the Europa League to contend with but there is no real pressure to do well in that competition compared to Serie A after last season’s debacle. If any proof was needed of how Ranieri is approaching Europe’s secondary tournament, just look at the goalkeeping position. Julio Sergio, once third choice but currently donning the gloves on a regular basis in the League, is normally rested for Doni when the Thursday games come along.
Ranieri’s success has been based on a solid defence – 11 goals conceded in 18 matches proves testament to that. Roma have always had talented players going forward – Francesco Totti is obviously one of the finest players of his generation – but now they play more as a cohesive unit. The Tinkerman is getting the best out of John Arne Riise down the left, with the Norwegian contributing some vital goals, and Julio Sergio’s introduction has been a stroke of genius.
The addition of Toni gives the team the focal point they have been lacking for such a long time, and the big man will be a big miss at the Artemio Franchi this weekend. Fiorentina may be going through a bad patch but are in desperate need of the points as fourth spot is beginning to slip from their grasp.
You can guarantee Cesare Prandelli will have his team fired up for this one, so if Roma can come away with another three points, then the media hype over Ranieri’s charges’ chances may well step up a gear.
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