PROFIL AS ROMA IN CHAMPIONS

AS ROMA
Status: 2nd in Italian Serie A
Nickname: Giallorossi
UEFA Ranking: 12th

GettyImages

Julio Baptista

THE RECORD: Italian Serie A champions on three occasions, the closest Roma have come to the ultimate glory in Europe was back in 1984, when they lost a penalty shoot-out in the 1984 Final against Liverpool on home soil. Their only European success came in the old Fairs Cup of 1961 and they will be desperate to add to that with the prospect of this season's Champions League Final being staged in their own Stadio Olympico in Rome. COACH'S CORNER: Rumours linking highly respected Roma coach Luciano Spalletti with a move to the English Premier League with Chelsea came to nothing during the summer, so he is preparing for another season in the Champions League after last season's quarter-final near miss. Victory over Real Madrid in last season's Champions League was a fine addition for Spalletti's CV. and he clearly relishes the challenge of taking on Europe's best. 'We have proved what is possible for Roma in Europe in the last couple of years, but Manchester United have been a little too strong for us in the key moments,' admits Spalletti. THE STAR TURN: The symbol of this Roma side has long been Francesco Totti and he remains a pivotal figure at the club as he enters the final few years of his glorious career. Yet he started this campaign on the injury list and time will tell if he gets back to his best. A one-club man, Totti admits his dream has long been to lead his beloved Giallorossi to the ultimate trophy in European club football. 'I can think of nothing better than holding up the Champions League trophy,' he says. 'We don't need to be told what victory in this competition would mean to our fans and the way we will be remembered in this history of this club. With the Final in Rome this season, we have to push even harder.' THE NEW FACE: Julio 'The Beast' Baptista has been searching for the right stage to display his talents on over the last few years and he will be hoping this latest move to Roma gives him the stability he needs. After making his name in European football with Sevilla, this Brazilian earned a high-profile move to Real Madrid, yet he failed to live up to his billing at the Bernabeu. A less than successful spell at Arsenal followed and now he will try his luck in Italian football. A powerhouse attacking talent, he will be a handful for the best of defenders this season. THE WILD CARD: Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic was the Roma hero in last season's famous win against Real Madrid in the first knock-out phase of the Champions League and he can be a real handful when firing on all cylinders. A successful loan spell at Roma in 2006 saw the club go through with his transfer from Leece and while Totti will always be the focus of attacking attention so long he is at the club, Vucinic tends to slot into a wide role in Spalletti's fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. His delivery into the box can be deadly, while he can also snap up chances when they come his way. YOUNG GUN: While Roma's squad is packed with hugely experienced players, they lack a touch of youthful exuberance until the secure the serves of highly-rated French striker Jeremy Menez from Monaco. Even though Arsenal and Liverpool had been linked with this French under-21 star who has drawn comparisons to Zinedine Zidane, it will be in Italy's Serie A that he continues his football development this season. 'We have signed a player with real potential and Menez gives us that enthusiasm you get from young players,' says Roma boss Spalletti. WORD ON THE STREET: Multi-millionaire George Soros has been involved in a complex battle to take over the club from the Sensi family, with supporters keen to welcome a man of such wealth and ambition. Famous for his support of liberal political influence in America, Soros certainly has the financial firepower to turn Roma into superpowers. The injuries to Totti is also a concern. Age is catching up with the legendary Roma forward and Spalletti's men miss him badly when he is absent. Menez will be under big pressure to fill his boots if the Roma talisman is missing for period this term. VERDICT: There are a few too many questions surrounding Roma. They should reach the knock-out phase again, but don't seem to have the quality to go much further.

AS ROMA
Status: 2nd in Italian Serie A
Nickname: Giallorossi
UEFA Ranking: 12th

GettyImages

Julio Baptista

THE RECORD: Italian Serie A champions on three occasions, the closest Roma have come to the ultimate glory in Europe was back in 1984, when they lost a penalty shoot-out in the 1984 Final against Liverpool on home soil. Their only European success came in the old Fairs Cup of 1961 and they will be desperate to add to that with the prospect of this season's Champions League Final being staged in their own Stadio Olympico in Rome. COACH'S CORNER: Rumours linking highly respected Roma coach Luciano Spalletti with a move to the English Premier League with Chelsea came to nothing during the summer, so he is preparing for another season in the Champions League after last season's quarter-final near miss. Victory over Real Madrid in last season's Champions League was a fine addition for Spalletti's CV. and he clearly relishes the challenge of taking on Europe's best. 'We have proved what is possible for Roma in Europe in the last couple of years, but Manchester United have been a little too strong for us in the key moments,' admits Spalletti. THE STAR TURN: The symbol of this Roma side has long been Francesco Totti and he remains a pivotal figure at the club as he enters the final few years of his glorious career. Yet he started this campaign on the injury list and time will tell if he gets back to his best. A one-club man, Totti admits his dream has long been to lead his beloved Giallorossi to the ultimate trophy in European club football. 'I can think of nothing better than holding up the Champions League trophy,' he says. 'We don't need to be told what victory in this competition would mean to our fans and the way we will be remembered in this history of this club. With the Final in Rome this season, we have to push even harder.' THE NEW FACE: Julio 'The Beast' Baptista has been searching for the right stage to display his talents on over the last few years and he will be hoping this latest move to Roma gives him the stability he needs. After making his name in European football with Sevilla, this Brazilian earned a high-profile move to Real Madrid, yet he failed to live up to his billing at the Bernabeu. A less than successful spell at Arsenal followed and now he will try his luck in Italian football. A powerhouse attacking talent, he will be a handful for the best of defenders this season. THE WILD CARD: Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic was the Roma hero in last season's famous win against Real Madrid in the first knock-out phase of the Champions League and he can be a real handful when firing on all cylinders. A successful loan spell at Roma in 2006 saw the club go through with his transfer from Leece and while Totti will always be the focus of attacking attention so long he is at the club, Vucinic tends to slot into a wide role in Spalletti's fluid 4-2-3-1 formation. His delivery into the box can be deadly, while he can also snap up chances when they come his way. YOUNG GUN: While Roma's squad is packed with hugely experienced players, they lack a touch of youthful exuberance until the secure the serves of highly-rated French striker Jeremy Menez from Monaco. Even though Arsenal and Liverpool had been linked with this French under-21 star who has drawn comparisons to Zinedine Zidane, it will be in Italy's Serie A that he continues his football development this season. 'We have signed a player with real potential and Menez gives us that enthusiasm you get from young players,' says Roma boss Spalletti. WORD ON THE STREET: Multi-millionaire George Soros has been involved in a complex battle to take over the club from the Sensi family, with supporters keen to welcome a man of such wealth and ambition. Famous for his support of liberal political influence in America, Soros certainly has the financial firepower to turn Roma into superpowers. The injuries to Totti is also a concern. Age is catching up with the legendary Roma forward and Spalletti's men miss him badly when he is absent. Menez will be under big pressure to fill his boots if the Roma talisman is missing for period this term. VERDICT: There are a few too many questions surrounding Roma. They should reach the knock-out phase again, but don't seem to have the quality to go much further.