Guide to Champions League 2007/08! Roma

ROMA
Italian league runners-up
Champions League pedigree: Runners-up 1984, quarter-finalists 2007

THE LOW DOWN:
Roma threatened to make a real impact in last season's Champions League as they established a quarter-final first leg advantage against Manchester United. With Italian teams famed for their hard working defensive abilities, heading to England with a narrow lead looked like the ideal scenario for Luciano Spalletti's men, but they were thrashed out of sight and the astonishing 7-1 final scoreline did not flatter United in the slightest.

That single result tarnished a campaign that provided signs of real progress for Roma, with their second place finish in a disrupted Serie A title race a decent effort. They also managed to add an Italian Cup triumph to their list of achievements last season and they started this term with a morale boosting Italian Super Cup win against champions Inter.

TECHNICAL AREA:
Like several top managers in the modern game, Spalletti's playing career was nothing to write home about, but he has excelled since assuming a role on the touchline.

His tactics at Roma have to evolve around getting the best out of Totti, whose influence at the club has long been more significant than any coach. A 4-2-3-1 formation gives the club skipper the support he needs to look his best and on the evidence of that game against Manchester United last season, more resolute defending will be required this time.

WOW FACTOR:
Thoughts of Roma rarely come to the mind without an image of skipper and talisman, Francesco Totti. For so long, he has been a faltering enigma of the Italian national team and he decided to call time on his international career this summer as a result, but he can do no wrong in the eye of his adoring Giallorossi faithful.

He will have been stung by the manner of his side's defeat at Old Trafford last season and will want to make a more lasting mark on the Champions League. Employed in a free role, he is given license to drop back and get involved in build-up play, while also being expected to be at the cutting edge of Roma's attacks.

THE BIG BUY:
Plenty of top clubs showed an interest in French winger Ludovic Giuly when he was made available by Barcelona during the summer, but Roma were quickest to make the 31-year-old an offer than caught his eye.

Boasting bags of experience and a fine Champions League pedigree, he was a Finalist in this competition with Monaco in 2004 and a winner with Barcelona in 2006, Giuly will give Roma's attacking thrusts real purpose down the flanks.

THE TENDER SPOT:
Brazilian defender Juan joined Roma in the off-season and he will help to fill a hole in the defensive line after the departure of Christian Chivu to Serie A title rivals Internazionale. However, only time will tell whether the new-face is as solid and reliable as the departed rock.

There must also be some serious question marks over whether Roma's star names can banish the memory of their harrowing 7-1 thumping against Manchester United last season. Coach Spalletti was quick to proclaim his delighted at being drawn alongside United in this group phase, but can they really bounce back from such a humbling and give the English champions a genuine test?

HOT GOSSIP:
Totti's impressive season last time around silenced the doubters who feel he dominates the Roma dressing room a little too much, but the aging forward will not be able to repeat his heroics for long. Spalletti has to pick him for every game whatever his form and that kind of pressure is unwelcome for any coach.

Roma coach Spalletti was furious at the Serie A fixture list which sees his side square off against all of their main rivals in quick succession. If they are distracted by domestic priorities, their Champions League challenge may be overlooked.

IDEAL LINE-UP:
Doni, Pannuci, Juan, Mexes, Tonetto, De Rossi, Pizarro, Perrott, Giuly, Totti, Vucinic

THE VERDICT:
They should be good enough to see off Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kyiv to secure a place in the last-16. Don't expect too much beyond that.