Juventus sit proudly, as Serie A resumes following what is already the third International break of the season, atop the league standings and the club's players, management and supporters revel in the seemingly successful operation to restore prestige and honour to the Old Lady. Her reputation has taken several knocks in recent years but the arrival of both Antonio Conte as coach and a fantastic new stadium have combined to reignite Calcio's perennial winner.
How lasting it is remains to be seen but for now the Turin side are among the most eye-catching, yet there is another club who's narrative this term is perhaps the most intriguing on the peninsula. Strangely for Italy - and indeed Italian football - it is a positive story of renewal, revitalisation and revolution. For a country besieged by petty bureaucracy, decrepit and outdated stadia and a strong aversion to change, the Thomas Di Benedetto led takeover of AS Roma is as surprising as it is welcome.
In taking one of Serie A's biggest clubs and completely overhauling it on and off the field, Di Benedetto has set an example to the rest of the league in how a football club should be run in the 21st century. His appointment of Walter Sabatini - soon to be followed by Franco Baldini - shows the new owner to be as keen to ensure sporting success as chasing increased profitability and a healthy balance sheet.
Luis Enrique has been brought in as coach and no fewer than ten new players have followed him, allowing the implementation of a 4-3-3 system which values movement, possession and a commitment to pressing. The newly assembled team has struggled for goals, netting just six times in five games thus far, and three of those came in the last match, a 3-1 win over Atalanta. They have however, been supremely creative, their Serie A leading 104 shots proving the matter is only one of poor finishing rather than any deeper issue.
For all the talk of change, the central figure in the new-look Giallorossi is arguably Daniele De Rossi, a Roman who has spent his entire career at the club. Concern over his contract renewal, family issues and a complete loss of form over the past eighteen months have all appeared to have taken their toll on the World Cup midfielder who's off-field problems have been well-documented. A desire to win trophies - he has just two Coppa Italia triumphs to his name - fuels constant speculation he wants to leave the capital, but there is no doubting his dedication to the Roma cause so far this season.
"Regardless of what happens with my contract and my future, the most important thing is the future of Roma." - Daniele De Rossi
Already with a goal and an assist to his name, he has been deployed by Luis Enrique in a much deeper role than previously, often dropping between the central defenders to create a three man defence. While initially it was feared this would nullify his best attributes, the 28 year-old has improved his performances significantly from those seen in recent seasons.
De Rossi is the highest scoring Roma player in WhoScored.com's rating system (currently averaging 7.73). One remarkable aspect to his play is that, despite a reputation as an aggressive and combative player, De Rossi has only commited three fouls in his five appearances. His tackling has been as excellent as ever, winning 72.7% of challenges while he has also registered 21 interceptions showing his valuable defensive contribution. Yet the most striking aspect of his play so far has been his passing, completing the second most of any player in the league at an impressive 88%.
Of course he has not been alone, Roma are slowly becoming a great team to watch and one who's future looks increasingly bright as they already lead the league in successful dribbles, pass completetion and are third in ball possession. De Rossi will continue to play a major role in that should he choose to remain, but none of that will affect him on Sunday. For Daniele De Rossi, like all true Romanisti, all thoughts will be focussed on a derby win.
great article. I'm looking forward to Sunday's game a lot now!