AS Roma: 5 Steps to Achieve Champions League Qualification

The Champions League is arguably the most glorious stage of football competition in the entire world.

While considered much more prestigious than domestic league titles, clubs must do well in their domestic leagues to even qualify for the tournament.

For the good of Italian football, AS Roma must achieve qualification for the tournament competition of 2012-2013 by making it into the top three this season in Serie A.

The following are five steps that the club and new coach Luis Enrique must take to reestablish themselves as a top side, both domestically and internationally.

Bring in a Proven Custodian

The bottom line is that clubs with bad or even average players between the pipes do not progress very far, let alone take home silverware.

Since the change of hands in ownership, there has been much speculation about the keeper position with names such as Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Franco Marchetti (acquired by Lazio) and Tim Howard (Everton).

No more than two weeks ago, there had been growing speculation of the definite acquisition of Espanyol’s Cameroonian keeper Carlos Karmeni, much to the chagrin of fans.

Better known for his penchant for harrowing mistakes than his reflexes, there was no sense of optimism in the Eternal City amid the news.

Looking to the present has changed as reports, if they are to be believed, are claiming that a €6 million transfer agreement for Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, 28, has been struck between the two sides.

If such a deal does come to fruition, Roma will have acquired a keeper of world-class pedigree, having gone to the 2010 World Cup Final and won multiple championships at the club level.

Reinforce the Backline

With the loss of center back Philippe Mexes (Milan) and acquisition of Gabriel Heinze (Marseille) Roma have failed to this point in improving the backline.

The addition of Jose Angel (Sporting de Gijon) marks an improvement on the outside but it is crucial that quality be added at the center of the park to reinforce the defense as the likes of Heinze, Nicolas Burdisso, and Cicinho are not ideal to pair with Jaun in the starting lineup.

While no specific player can be named to fill the gap, it would be most wise to acquire a player entering the prime of his career (25-30) rather than a player of pedigree that is well past it.

Do not be surprised if Roma add Martin Montoya, 20, from Barcelona B to upgrade the right-back position. Although young his relationship and experience with new boss Luis Enrique would see the player make a considerable impact almost immediately.

Rehabilitate Daniele De Rossi

Roma’s vice-captain has taken a noticeable dip in form since being named Italian Footballer of the Year in 2009.

Once the subject of Real Madrid’s flirtation the midfielder has seen his star drop in recent years although some speculation still ties the player to an Old Trafford move the second team of Manchester would prove to be much more likely destination if any.

As a hardnosed enforcer De Rossi operates at the mercy of a double edge blade.

Expected to keep the opposing players honest and aware of his physical presence any misstep on his part will easily have him seeing yellow or even red.

This is only exacerbated by his own tendency to let the “red mist descend” as they say. Luis Enrique has no need to attempt to reinvent the player himself but the role in which he plays.

Employing De Rossi into a central midfield role very much similar to that of the position Sergio Busquets plays in Barcelona would prove invariably beneficial to the squad as whole.

De Rossi is comparatively far more talented possessing a wider array of skills than the Spaniard both in attacking and defense but Busquets shows a level of composure (when he is not flailing around in agony after incidental contact) that De Rossi would be wise to emulate.  

If Enrique were to prove successful in cooling De Rossi’s head in addition to making this tactical conversion, the player could potentially reach heights even greater than he had previously.

Provide an Influx of Young Talent

I realize that this in itself seems questionable being the goal more indicative of requiring immediate results but hear me out.

Roma has done incredibly well to acquire young talents such as Eric Lamela (River Plate), Bojan Krkic (Barcelona), and Jose Angel (Sporting de Gijon) but the side would do even better to continue the trend.

In light of the change in tactics that will no doubt ensue following the hiring of Luis Enrique it would be wise to acquire young prospects with experience in the Barcelona’s tiki-taka system.

Given the nature of football I do not imagine nor suggest that there be numerous acquisitions made but possibly two or three.

That said, I do not mean to imply that La Masia graduates are of better quality than any other academy but that their knowledge of and experience in the system alone would make them more than serviceable as reserves in immediate fashion. Quality reserves for the present that could become very important players in a simple matter of time.

Having brought Barcelona B much success Enrique, if he so desired, would have as good a chance as anybody to land (or abduct) the likes of Sergi Roberto, Rafa Alcantara (Thiago’s brother), Martin Montoya, or Marc Bartra among others.

This is also a particular situation where we may see Bojan’s influence be felt off the pitch as the young player’s experiences with the senior side can be seen as somewhat of a precautionary tale to lure these up and comers elsewhere.

Maximize Francesco Totti

Fresh off a campaign which saw him score 15 goals (12 coming in Roma’s last 13 league fixtures) and becoming fifth all-time in league history with 207 goals, there remains no doubt that Il Gladiatore will end his career in Rome, but what role he will play in this Barca-inspired system has been in question.

Totti, 34, remains not only the talisman of the club but also a supremely effective player rendering him completely unfitting for the bench or in any reserve role even at this advanced stage in his career.

Given the class of Totti, he can almost be employed anywhere on the front end of the pitch as either the pivotal scorer or facilitator, but it is likely he will be placed at the spearhead of the attack in the 4-3-3 formation.

Playing in this center forward role, Totti could easily add 20 or more goals to his tally in all competition, but the most important factor would be his work rate or lack thereof now demanded of him.

While putting pressure on the opposition is demanded of the forward in this system, most of said pressure comes in the opposing half rather than the habitual retreat and track back tactic that many other sides employ.

Decreasing the distance Totti must cover each match would not only increase his efficiency over the course of the upcoming season but also potentially lengthen his career... NO TOTTI, NO PARTY!