Giuseppe Giannini believes that Roma have a ‘great opportunity’ with everything in their favour to win Serie A, but he also advises humility.
The Giallorossi head into the new season with positive work in the transfer market and talk of a push for the Scudetto.
Giuseppe Giannini believes that Roma have a ‘great opportunity’ with everything in their favour to win Serie A, but he also advises humility.
The Giallorossi head into the new season with positive work in the transfer market and talk of a push for the Scudetto.
One of the key members of their 1983 title success sees all the right ingredients to Rudi Garcia’s squad, even if he does not want to get too carried away.
“The enthusiasm of the fans is palpable and even that of the players,” Giannini has told the Corriere dello Sport today.
“Roma holds all the cards they need in order to win. But be careful, I cannot forget the year we finished second, then had a great transfer campaign to specifically build a side to win the Scudetto.
“And eventually in the following year, we only saved ourselves because I scored in Foggia.
“You never know what can happen between bad luck and injury. What Roma need at this moment is to remain humble.
“For the rest everything is there, I do not think that Roma should take action on the squad and change the starting line-up. Perhaps I would arrange something different for the bench, another player for the left perhaps.
“The directors have been spectacular and from the transfer campaign you cannot ask for better. The younger players can do well, purchases such as Iturbe bring freshness and motivation.
“But in the Champions League we will also need the expertise of Maicon and Cole. Players of stability and experience. The club went looking for this and have found it.”
Giannini considered if the gap to Juventus from last year has been filled in.
“Roma have not only caught up to Juventus but at this time they have the advantage of morale on their side. It is difficult for Juve not to be affected by the change of Coach.
“Conte has shaped them and now he has gone. For Allegri, instead, he has come in and is immediately challenged, he has encountered an atmosphere that is anything but serene.
“And even on the market, Juve are encountering difficulties and for Roma this is a great opportunity.”
One side note to the season will be how Roma use Francesco Totti between Serie A and Champions League action.
“I have seen some pictures of Totti, he is strong and he seems to me to be in shape. I do not know how Garcia will use him, but if I were to decide, I would keep him aside for some games, for those 19-20 games that are really important.
“In my opinion, Totti also realises that this is the best solution for all.”