AS Roma will start the season with a lot higher expectations than last after staying right on Juventus' heels for the Scudetto, finishing with a point total that would have seen them win it in any but two seasons in the entire history of Serie A.

The Scudetto race projects to be bit more open this year. It would surprise to see Juve replicate their record setting season, especially after losing Conte. However, expect increased competition at the top of the table. Napoli should be just as good as last year, Fiorentina is unlikely be as decimated by injuries and it was only a matter of time before Mazzarri had Inter (who will doubtlessly benefit from the "no Champions League points bump" as well) back in the race.

Champions League is a different story. AS Roma, unfortunately, is a group of death generator since they will likely be in the 4th pod.

While certainly having the top end quality to potentially get through any group, most level headed fans aren't thinking this team is deep enough for a serious run without a very unlikely, very favorable draw (especially without Strootman). This season it's probably better to simply go into the CL guns-a-blazin' regardless of the competition but, above all, focus squarely on the Scudetto and getting back to the CL next year with an ever improving squad.

The roster so far:

------------------------De Sanctis ------------------------
------------------------ (Skorupski) ------------------------

--------------- Benatia -------- Castan ---------------
---------------(Astori, Romangoli, ?) ---------------

Maicon --------------------------------------------- Cole
(Torosidis) ------------------------------ (Emanuelson, Balzaretti)

------------------------ De Rossi -------------------------------
------------- Pjanic ------------- Naingollan / Strootman -------
---------------- (Keita, Ucan, Parades) ---------------

Iturbe --------------- Totti --------------- Gervinho
----------- (Ljalic, Destro, Florenzi, Sanabria)-----------

Needed/likely moves to come:

1. 4th choice depth/rotational CB so Romagnoli can be loaned
2. The attack is pretty good and decently deep but every sign points to Sabatini/Garcia still keen to add one more elite difference making, creative player in the front three and possibly a depth/experienced center forward who fits better than Borriello who'll likely be loaned again.

Possible moves before the mercato ends:

1. Sanabria and/or Parades on loan for the season. Both figure large in future plans and may stay since the roster isn't very deep depending but may also get one more year on loan to another Serie A side. A Romangoli loan spell is also possible. He's already good enough to be the 4th CB in the rotation but more pt would be better when another CB is added. Seems Ucan has already shown more than enough to be in the midfield rotation.

2. The major shakeup possibility:

Benatia is sold:
Just because he's agreed to a raise doesn't mean Sabatini wouldn't move him in a flash for the right price. If he does, Roma will go after 2 CBs along lines of Manolas, Basa, Chiriches instead of just one CB but will also likely up the € ante significantly in his attempt to bring another big time attacking talent.

There's a pretty good chance Ljalic is sold regardless and even Destro isn't untouchable if it brings in a player Sabatini/Garcia covets. The deal for Konoplyanka seems unlikely but that the negotiations have been this advanced suggests that Sabatini is set on bringing on a similar caliber player and Ljalic would be the most likely odd man out if that happens.

This post was edited on 8/8/14 at 5:32 pm