Rudi Garcia’s Roma will surprise Serie A

Roma have a good shot at redemption next season, and must seize their opportunity.

Roma discovered a new arch-nemesis at the end of last season’s Coppa Italia Final, but it was not Lazio by any stretch of the imagination, not even after it had been the Biancocelesti who saw them off for the trophy.

Instead, interim boss Aurelio Andreazzoli took home the full essence of what it meant to be at the head of Serie A’s eternally dysfunctional family, as the club’s fans and a certain Pablo Osvaldo showered their withering disapproval on the loss.

The virulent infighting was to serve as the nadir of an immensely frustrating maiden two years under American ownership.

Everybody loves a joke but no one likes a fool, and the public had already tired of the farcical circumstances the team had dug itself into even before the fateful cup defeat rolled around. Hollow promises made of an entrance into the modern age of football when first Thomas DiBenedetto, and subsequently James Pallotta, acquired Giallorossi presidency sounded conspicuously like a bad quip by the end of last season.

When Rudi Garcia was installed as Roma’s fourth coach under the faltering American reign, many formed another dismal image of the capital side mulling over another long trudge to more mid-table anonymity this time next year.

Former director Franco Baldini’s failure to secure main candidate Massimiliano Allegri in particular led to Garcia being regarded as another suspicious foreigner at the Olimpico who was not worth his salt.

But after the initial stages of pre-season, the man regarded as a rising star in his native France could yet be the one to awaken Roma from their false dawn. Known for his unerring commitment to his own principles, sometimes even to personal detriment, Garcia’s propensity to stand his ground will now serve as a valuable commodity in his first adventure abroad when it comes to resisting the overtly persuasive suggestions from ultras and those within his squad.

A devout practitioner of the 4-3-3 – admittedly not a formation that will conjure the most gratifying memories amongst the Roma faithful – the Frenchman promises thrills, but this time, without the spills. This comes in conjunction with what appears to be the club’s first genuine plan in recent memory.

Kevin Strootman arrives as a real statement of intent for Rudi Garcia’s men.

Arriving to cater to the 49-year-old’s redemption project are a host of astute signings who, given time, can propel the capital side to make a lofty return to honours.

Quite apart from just making a financial splash, Walter Sabatini has worked wholeheartedly to strengthen the areas in the team where it has counted.

Defence seemed an automatic priority to upgrade, and now Garcia can rely on a potent mix of experience interwove with eager youngsters who are also ready to make their step up today.

Marquinhos’ €32 million sacrifice to Paris Saint-Germain had not been in vain. In the Brazilian prodigy’s stead arrived Mehdi Benatia, the natural contender to marshal the rearguard after consolidating his place as one of Serie A’s top defenders.

Douglas Maicon may be a spent force, but Roma can count on a player of international standing who will contribute valuable experience at the back while Tin Jedvaj and Alessio Romagnoli guarantee quality alternatives for the future, though one suspects the duo will not contend for a place outside the spotlight for long more.

It is in midfield that Roma’s early promise rushes to the fore, however, after even a player of €20m signing Kevin Strootman’s calibre was left starstruck. “I am in awe of [Miralem] Pjanic when he starts taking control of midfield, and with [Daniele] De Rossi everything is perfect,” the coveted Netherlands international exclaimed after a 3-1 victory against an MLS All-Star XI in Kansas City.

That Strootman envisages a partnership with De Rossi, incidentally the man he was touted to replace, in turn alludes to the growing enthusiasm at Trigoria. Too naturally gifted with box-to-box characteristics to be squandered in an anchorman’s role, the upstart’s partnership with his established club icon counterpart will prove decisive to Roma’s fortunes; especially if De Rossi can be convinced to remain part of his boyhood team’s futuristic new chapter for the long-haul.

“The midfield is the heart of the team and the heart of my game. I was very happy with Strootman, [Michael] Bradley and Pjanic,” Garcia had attested to.

Captain Francesco Totti still has a crucial role to play under Rudi Garcia, who must also place his faith in Pablo Osvaldo.

And with the latter mentioned all joining the fray next term, it will be their flourishing understanding together, coupled with a developing interchangeability, mobility and intelligence that only top European sides feature, which will drive the Roma revolution from the outset.

The engine room’s expanding capabilities sees them thrust with supporting an attack seemingly at its paradoxical thinnest. Given Garcia’s reunification with Lille protege Gervinho has received questions from all quarters, while Mattia Destro commences his battle against injury and indifferent form, Roma’s attack could be their weakest link.

With Nico Lopez acquainting with first-team football elsewhere and Marco Borriello on the fringes, Francesco Totti and even Osvaldo could still stamp their mark for some time to come in the future.

Nothing unites and divides the club like Osvaldo in particular, but that does little to detract the Italy international from being prolific on his day. If Garcia can retain the enigmatic striker and keep him focused on his football just enough to reenact Moussa Sow’s previous title-winning form for Lille, that may well account for over a third of Roma’s goal output next season.

While the climb back to domestic prominence can be a lengthy affair, the unknown quantity Roma represent and her exodus from continental competition could be made to work for themselves, as Juventus and Fiorentina highlighted in recent campaigns. Likewise crediting their spate of signings and clearly defined market strategy this summer as a catalyst, a swift return to challenging for silverware cannot be entirely dismissed for Garcia’s men, a united group that always has to be taken seriously.

As Italian clubs showcase some of their new pull-power by attracting noteworthy players to the peninsula, Roma have made sure not to be left behind by making a few statements of their own. This, in tandem with a well-advised coaching selection, and Roma are ready to seize on the opportunities left behind by unsuspecting opponents in the coming months.

The rest of Serie A have been warned.

Follow Jeremy Lim on Twitter: @JLCalcio