AS Roma: The Giallorossi’s lightning start could sow seeds for title challenge

As Roma’s captain Francesco Totti celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match vs Parma at the Tardini stadium in Parma on September 16, 2013. (Getty Images)

Roma made £92 million in player sales over the summer, £28 million of which coming off Marquinhos, the Brazilian centre-half who departed for Paris St-Germain. His replacement was found in Mehdi Benatia, a Moroccan defender signed from Udinese for £11 million, to slot seamlessly alongside Leandro Castan in the centre of defence.

Garcia has operated shrewdly in the transfer market despite the talent he has lost, Ljajic for instance coming at a third of the price they demanded off Spurs for Lamela. Maicon, signed on a free after a disappointing spell with Manchester City, boasts a wealth of Serie A experience and has been installed as first choice right-back.

Garcia is staying true to the fluid 4-3-3 system that served him well in winning the Ligue 1 title over in France with Lille, with Totti as the roaming centre-forward and a fierce midfield trio providing a solid, combative defensive screen behind him.

As cover, Marco Borriello and Mattia Destro lurk to offer an alternative to Totti’s ageing limbs, whilst Rodrigo Taddei, Michael Bradley and Marquinho provide depth to the midfield. In Vasilis Torosidis, Nicolas Burdisso, Alessio Romagnoli and the promising young centre-half Tin Jedjav, the French manager also has an array of defensive options to call upon.

It is a well-balanced, well-stocked squad that has a fine blend of youth and experience, primed for an assault on the top five as Garcia’s target remains. If they stay together, displaying the same effusive team-spirit that was on display as they celebrated in front of their fans in the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon, there should be no limit to their ambitions.

One significant aspect of Garcia’s first few months in his job in the Italian capital has been to repair the relations within a squad that has been fragmented and disjointed in recent years. “I think it’s the same in Italy as it is in France, during training sessions we also work on the psychological aspect” he spoke after the win over Lazio.

“The project and the playing style are more important than looking at the past, I like the enthusiasm that the team has now while they are playing. We’re working to make the fans happy and today it was magical.”

If Roma and Garcia continue the way they are, the Romanistas will have every right to be happy.