Roma ready to challenge Barca with new-found mental fortitude

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  • A man with a plan: Rudi Garcia.

    Barcelona begin the defence of their Champions League crown against AS Roma who believe 2015-16 could be the season their talent-laden side finally delivers.

    It has been an arduous process for the Giallorossi, their US-based owners slowly building a side in difficult circumstances after years of financial mismanagement under the previous regime.

    The constraints imposed by their difficult position meant a number of potential key figures were sold along the way, with the likes of Erik Lamela and Medhi Benatia sacrificed in order to balance the books.

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    Roma have struggled both in the shadow of an all-conquering Juventus and under incredible expectation in the Italian capital.

    It’s little wonder that Rudi Garcia and his players have failed to deal with that situation, the French coach unable to maintain a successful title challenge despite excellent starts in each of the past two seasons. 

    Indeed, in his first campaign the team set a new Serie A record by winning its first 10 matches, only to falter and finish a staggering seventeen points behind the eventual champions, with the same margin separating the duo last term too.

    Yet this summer, while Juve – and most of the peninsula’s other big clubs – underwent major changes, Roma methodically added a number of players who would cover the few remaining weaknesses in the side.

    Left-back Lucas Digne arrived from Paris Saint-Germain to fill a position that had been a long-standing issue, while goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was brought in on loan from Arsenal.

    Daniele De Rossi has featured in central defence this season as Leandro Castan works his way back to full fitness, Garcia able to move the Italy international into the backline thanks to the sheer depth of midfield talent at his disposal.

    Kevin Strootman has once again succumbed to injury, but with the gifted Miralem Pjanic providing creativity and incisive attacking forays while Radja Nainggolan shields the back four, the team ret-ains an excellent sense of balance.

    Ahead of them is where the real changes came in the off season however, with Chelsea’s Mohamed Salah and Iago Falque – who weighed in with 13 goals for Genoa last term – brought in to provide greater options on the wing. 

    With Gervinho and Juan Iturbe already there, Garcia now has four talented players for two positions.

    That quartet have a genuine target to aim for in the centre too, with Edin Dzeko needing little introduction. The Bosnian has started all three of the club’s league games and they have yet to taste defeat with him in the line-up.

    Of course that means living legend Francesco Totti has been moved onto the bench, which may present problems further down the road but for now the captain 
    appears content with his reduced role.

    At 38 years old, he understands it’s inevitable, and may even prolong the career of a man who already holds the club records for appearances and goals.

    Victory over Juventus two weeks ago has instilled a real belief that Roma are a genuine force this time around, and the game against Barcelona will undoubtedly provide the sternest of tests.

    And one man who understands the club better than most is visiting boss Luis Enrique. 

    “What happened at Roma made me a better coach,” said the Barca boss this past weekend, recalling his time in charge back in 2011-12.

    That was his first major role, ending with him feeling “very tired and drained,” as the pressure proved simply too great and prompted him to walk away. 

    Garcia has clearly felt that at times too, but with his team adopting a more pragmatic approach this term, they certainly appear better equipped to cope.

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