fount : goal.com
Forward problems haunt Roma. In 2007-08 it was the lack of punch up front - once Totti was ruled out of the season in March - that let the team down in the title run-in. Vucinic has yet to convince as an out and out striker, though at 24 time is on his side, but more than anything the fact that the club had only two recognized strikers to call on was what limited their chances, whilst eventual champions Inter Milan had a stable of six to pick from.
As such the Stadio Olimpico side has spent much of the summer months searching for the man who can fill the gap. With Totti taking the only out and out attacking role in the favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, it is clear they whoever is brought in has to be able to switch from wing to centre-forward.
Vincenzo Iaquinta, Adrian Mutu, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Julio Baptista are the main names to have been linked with Roma in recent months. Of the bunch Mutu is clearly the best fit, able to move effortlessly between left-wing and striker, as Iaquinta can, but with a better scoring record and better confidence.
However, there would be potential problems over him dovetailing with Totti, with the pair both wanting to be the fulcrum of the side. That said Roma fans can feel a sense of disappointment that Spalletti has ruled out a move, especially as they would have been excited by headlines suggesting his arrival in the eternal city was imminent.
Baptista has had mixed fortunes at Real Madrid, even being shipped out on loan for an uneventful season at Arsenal. It would be hard to see the Brazilian enjoying a left-wing role, with Totti lord-supreme down the centre and rising star Alberto Aquilani earmarked for the role in the hole.
As for Huntelaar, as a classic out and out striker and a player on the up it is unlikely he would be happy to play second fiddle and wait for an injury to Totti before getting his chance.
Of course one striker has arrived under the radar at Stadio Olimpico; Vincenzo Montella who returns from his loan spell at Sampdoria. Sure he may be entering his twilight years as a player, but he has scored wherever he has gone and currently is one short of his double-century of Serie A goals.
At 34 years-of-age he may not be able to handle 90 minutes every week, but will at least add an element of mischief from the bench. Better still he is a left-footer, something that is conspicuous by its absence in the Roma attack and a different type of striker from those they already have.
There is just over one month till the Serie A season kicks off on August 31 and Spalletti knows that the sooner he adds to his attack the better. He is already starting to show the strain, promising fans a big-name signing, though who that is likely to be is not 100% clear.
Totti, Vucinic and Montella are not a poor forward pack by any standards, but in the coming season those standards have risen again, from Inter, Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina. The coming weeks will indicate how Roma are likely to do in 2008-09, much more than any statements of intent.
Jeremy John Inson
Forward problems haunt Roma. In 2007-08 it was the lack of punch up front - once Totti was ruled out of the season in March - that let the team down in the title run-in. Vucinic has yet to convince as an out and out striker, though at 24 time is on his side, but more than anything the fact that the club had only two recognized strikers to call on was what limited their chances, whilst eventual champions Inter Milan had a stable of six to pick from.
As such the Stadio Olimpico side has spent much of the summer months searching for the man who can fill the gap. With Totti taking the only out and out attacking role in the favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, it is clear they whoever is brought in has to be able to switch from wing to centre-forward.
Vincenzo Iaquinta, Adrian Mutu, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Julio Baptista are the main names to have been linked with Roma in recent months. Of the bunch Mutu is clearly the best fit, able to move effortlessly between left-wing and striker, as Iaquinta can, but with a better scoring record and better confidence.
However, there would be potential problems over him dovetailing with Totti, with the pair both wanting to be the fulcrum of the side. That said Roma fans can feel a sense of disappointment that Spalletti has ruled out a move, especially as they would have been excited by headlines suggesting his arrival in the eternal city was imminent.
Baptista has had mixed fortunes at Real Madrid, even being shipped out on loan for an uneventful season at Arsenal. It would be hard to see the Brazilian enjoying a left-wing role, with Totti lord-supreme down the centre and rising star Alberto Aquilani earmarked for the role in the hole.
As for Huntelaar, as a classic out and out striker and a player on the up it is unlikely he would be happy to play second fiddle and wait for an injury to Totti before getting his chance.
Of course one striker has arrived under the radar at Stadio Olimpico; Vincenzo Montella who returns from his loan spell at Sampdoria. Sure he may be entering his twilight years as a player, but he has scored wherever he has gone and currently is one short of his double-century of Serie A goals.
At 34 years-of-age he may not be able to handle 90 minutes every week, but will at least add an element of mischief from the bench. Better still he is a left-footer, something that is conspicuous by its absence in the Roma attack and a different type of striker from those they already have.
There is just over one month till the Serie A season kicks off on August 31 and Spalletti knows that the sooner he adds to his attack the better. He is already starting to show the strain, promising fans a big-name signing, though who that is likely to be is not 100% clear.
Totti, Vucinic and Montella are not a poor forward pack by any standards, but in the coming season those standards have risen again, from Inter, Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina. The coming weeks will indicate how Roma are likely to do in 2008-09, much more than any statements of intent.
Jeremy John Inson
Inter 2(5)p - (4)2 Roma 
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