The apparently named naughties, (2000-2009) was the most successful era in A.S Roma's history, with a league title, two Italian cup's, two Italian super cup's and several productive Champions League stints. But I must admit, I was surprised to hear that this was their most lucrative era.
Roma are a big name in European football and have played host to some big names, such as Bruno Conti, Rudi Voller, Cafu and none more so then current cult hero Francesco Totti. However, their reputation comes with very little justification. The men from the capital have only ever won three league titles and have never won on the European stage.
Particularly at the end of the last century, Roma languished in the shadow of local rivals Lazio, who employed the risky tactic of buying big to win big. It gained Lazio instant success with two European trophies and a couple of domestic wins. However, their shopping spree left them with uncontrollable debts, that by the start of this century, had left them struggling financially.
This gave Roma a chance to step up and become the Italian capital's leading club. And giving credit where credit is due, they did. With Lazio struggling to make ends meet and even battling against relegation, Roma's current generation were becoming the clubs most successful one.
However, Roma failed to push on from their title win in 2001 and by 2010 they were failing to mix it with the big boys. In the 2010-11 season, a substandard league performance resulted in a sixth place finish, combined with a poor european campaign, left the Roma fans feeling dejected. To make things worse Lazio were beginning to find their feet again.
During the summer of 2011 Roma entered a new era, as American businessman Thomas DiBenedetto bought the club for €70.3 million. The American signalled his intent to restore success at the club by spending large sums of money from the off. Despite the big investments made, progress on the pitch was slow. Roma were knocked out of europe early by Slovak Bratislava and their league performance was lacklustre, with no win in their first four games.
But as the season comes to a close, Roma have found themselves in win a chance of European qualification. It seems that from nowhere, they are within four points of third placed Lazio. And what a feat it would be to win the third Champions League spot off their neighbours.
Not only do they have a talented young manager, Roma are building a team of talented young players. In a summer spending spree of over €80 million, highly rated Spaniard, often compared to Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic was brought in from Barca for €12 million. Bosnian Miralem Pjanic was acquired from Lyon for €11 million, Erik Lamela from River Plate for €12 million, as well as Simon Kjaer and ex-Chelsea striker Fabio Borini. All five players are 23 years of age or younger. Experienced heads such as Gabriel Heinze, Marco Boriello and Pablo Osvaldo were brought in to guide the youthful squad in the right direction.
In another encouraging move, Roma are set to move to a new stadium in 2014. Work has begun on the 55,000 seat arena, said to be modelled on British stadiums. Roma will end their 50 year ground share with Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico and become the second Italian club, after Juventus, to own their stadium, with the majority of Italian stadiums being owned by the government.
In the summer the club will embark on a tour across USA, as they seek to increase the international reputation of the club. By that time they could be looking forward to a Champions League campaign in what is rumoured to be Francesco Totti's last season for the club. There is no doubt that the club's greatest ever player will want to end on a high note, and the way the club is progressing, do not count out a fourth league title.
No comments:
Post a Comment