The Giallorossi Yorkshire pre-season panel: Predictions by 9 Roma fans

With the 2024-25 season now just around the corner, Roma fans have a range of topics on their mind but will be hoping for a more enjoyable campaign than the last one.

Daniele De Rossi has overseen his first pre-season as Roma’s head coach, while Florent Ghisolfi has brought in an array of new signings: Artem Dovbyk, Matias Soule, Enzo Le Fee, Samuel Dahl, Buba Sangare and Mat Ryan.

After three consecutive sixth-placed finishes in Serie A – always on the same number of points – Roma will be aiming to make progress this season. Calcio can be unpredictable, but members of our Giallorossi Yorkshire community have pitched in with their opinions of where Roma are at and where they will be by the end of the season.

Do you feel more or less optimistic about the new season than you did this time last year – and why?

Arron: More optimistic having had a pre season under DDR – we had Mou last year and all was well at pre season again but looking at our journey over the last 8 months certainly more confident now!

Dec: I’m feeling a lot a more confident about Roma this year, particularly because of the transfer window, both in and outgoings, but I’ll get into that later on.

Dom: Probably about the same (before Dybala leaves if he doesn’t), I expected more last year after the Europa League final but I feel a new lease of life and energy under De Rossi. Excited to see Soule and Dovbyk in attack as well as Baldanzi’s progress.

Eddie: More. I enjoyed Mourinho’s profile but his football was dull. As a Roma fan I can live with losing games if we play exciting football. We are La Magica after all. De Rossi will have some up and downs but his brand of football is so much more entertaining and with some signings suited to his style I’m excited to see what he can do this year.

Harry: More, good transfer window, think Soule is really exciting and the man I wanted.

Kier: Feeling very similar to last season. I really thought we had a chance to break into the top 4 this time last season and I think exactly the same now. Missing out on Champions League football really hurts the club and puts us in a similar situation to where we were at last season. The aim has to be to guarantee CL football yet again. We have spent money this transfer market in the off season and really tried to bolster the squad whilst replacing regular first teamers which is extremely positive.

Samuel: Less, but only marginally. Much will depend on the potential exit of Dybala, which would be a kick in the gut that would undo the optimism of how the transfer window was going before. There is some reason for optimism with teams around us not being convincing either, but the outcome of last season and the two before it (with the same points tallies) gave a demoralising, deflating feeling, which is starting to return. There has been some good work in terms of squad construction though and it’ll all depend on if we – and specifically someone like Dovbyk – can hit the ground running or not.

Serena: More optimistic. This year we have a coach that teaches football and is actually going to finish matches on the bench, not in the dressing room.

Tom: Much more optimistic. Well if you asked me at the start of this week I’d have said that. The Dybala news has the potential to disrupt the season even before it’s started. That being said one player doesn’t make a team and we’ve survived worse losses than even the great Paulo. For the most part recruitment has been good, still dead wood to shift but the moves being made seem like the right step. Time will tell.

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What’s your prediction of where Roma will finish in Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia?

Arron: Serie A 4th – Europa winners and Coppa semis

Dec: I think this is the season we get back into the automatic UCL spots, I’ll say fourth to be a bit reserved, but I’m excited. I think we’ll go far in the UEL, especially after beating AC and almost Leverkusen last year. Coppa Italia always gives me the fear, it’s a competition we’ve underperformed in for years, and I think the focus should be on EL and Serie A – I’ll just say we won’t win it, how’s about that?

Dom: 4th in the league, I reckon Napoli under Conte and Inter in the title race with a better Juve also ahead but us as best of the rest. Expecting solid runs in both cups and think we should really put in the work to win the Coppa this time around, feel we’ve seen that as secondary and missed our chance a couple of times recently.

Eddie: Serie A – Hopefully top 4. Conte will get Napoli playing better than last season, Inter will dominate. Milan will be interesting with Fonseca. Juve have weaknesses and are starting a new style. It will be tough but no one is unbeatable. 

Europa – Another deep run would be great but I’d rather they focus on the league. Hopefully if we now have more depth we can give players like Baldanzi some good experience. I really want him to have a breakout year but I’m still not sure how he fits DDR’s system/his position. He needs to play more central.  

Coppa – we always underperform. I’m not putting too much hope in this. A trophy would be nice and it’s not a lot of games, as we come in late, so you never now. 

Harry: 3rd, quarters, Winners (screw it let’s be optimistic)

Kier: We should be able to have a better league campaign this year and must do to be able to convincingly get into the top 4 and maintain that. We’ve broken into it most seasons but through injuries and managing European cup runs/fitness of players have ultimately missed out on it. I’m going for Roma to finish 3rd in Serie A.

– ⁠At some point again we may well have to decide whether to put the Serie A first or the Europa League. I think this season we will choose the league and so I’m predicting a Round of 32/16 exit from the Europa League for us this season.

– ⁠We seem to have better depth this season and I was extremely disappointed with our exit against Lazio last season. I really do think this silverware is there for the taking for us and so I’m being very optimistic but I’m going to say we win it this season. With an earlier Europa League exit we can still keep a strong rotation of players to manage the Coppa Italia and the league position.

Samuel: Serie A, 6th on 63 points. Obviously. Jokes aside, I think anywhere between 4th and 8th is wide open. I’ve got a feeling it’ll be 5th this time. I never get excited for the Coppa Italia and we always seem to exit early, so I’m going to change my tune this year and predict we’ll do well and see if that unjinxes it! With the draw throwing up a potential tie against Fonseca’s Milan in the quarters (if we get there) and the chances of him using six subs again, we could be looking at a semi-final and, why not, I’ll back us to go all the way (knowing full well it’ll come back to haunt me). In the Europa League, especially with the change in format of teams no longer dropping down from the Champions League, we should be one of the better teams in there. Semi-finals.

Serena: Serie A probably 5th. Coppa Italia semi final. Europa league semi final.

Tom: Serie A I predict 4th, Europa League and Coppa I expect us to get to the final of both. The team’s shown that it can get deep into Europe season after season, even if it’s come to disrupt league performance, but there’s no reason the squad can’t compete on all fronts; that’s where rotation is key. As for the Coppa it’s always something we should aim to win, historical Roma are the best all bar Juve, if Napoli and Lazio can win it in seasons not so long ago then this Roma side should be able to do the same.

How would you rate the transfer window so far, and which of Roma’s new signings do you think will have the biggest impact?

Arron: Great work and very shrewd business, would be disappointed to see Dybala leave, we’ve been patient in signings and look to have gone for a certain profile rather than panic buying.

Dec: Out of 10 I’d give our window a 9. I think our summer has gone a little under the radar. We’ve had a habit of signing names rather than the right fits in the past – Lukaku, Sanches, Wijnaldum particularly underwhelming for me. Not signing players like Kristensen on permanent and getting rid of dead wood like Belotti and Aouar are big +’s also. Would’ve liked to have kept Spina, but I’m very happy with Dovbyk, Le Fee and especially Soule.

Dom: Until this week I would have said very good except for a lack of defensive reinforcements. Smalling looking like our 3rd CB and Celik/Karsdorp as RBs. Great additions in midfield and attack which should push us forward, Le Fee’s solidity, Dovbyk’s power and Soule’s trickiness should all benefit. Lack of sales and a possible sale of Dybala shows lack of a clear project and idea which is a worrying sign of what we want to build. We’ve looked lost without Dybala in the last couple of seasons and it would be a mistake to basically give him away.

Eddie: Buying players rather than aging free transfers and loaning underperforming previous starlets is such a fresh change. Can’t really fault any of our signings so far. Dovbyk and Soule are the marquee signings and both should be instrumental in our season.

Harry: 8, Soule as mentioned

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Kier: As mentioned earlier I’ve been impressed with the transfer market activity this season. The big signing of Dovbyk who was La Liga’s top scorer last season is a real statement from the owners that we can attract the talent and the manager will be backed. Much of our season will depend on if Dovbyk can reach the heights he reached in Spain here in Italy. I think he will do and so he will have the biggest impact.

⁠Soule, Le Fee, Dahl and even Angelino are all upgrades in the right departments and all have been purchased for reasonable fees in today’s market. I would love to see a central defender come in as Llorente may be a bigger miss than what a lot of fans think and he left along with Huijsen whose loan expired.

⁠In regards to our outgoings it’s been relatively positive too (Dybala situation pending). I was slightly gutted to see Aouar leave us so early on with him still having nearly 4 years left on his contract. Saudi money talks though and so we couldn’t compete. Getting the likes of Rui and Spinazzola off wage bills will have helped too and both leave with our best wishes. Same goes to Belotti. I’m rather confident Dybala will remain with us this season. He’s fallen in love with the club & its fans. He just gets it and I’m hoping that’s enough to keep him here for at least this final season.

Samuel: I think it’s been a 7/10 transfer window and a true Roma-fashion rollercoaster. Spending money has been refreshing again, especially on Dovbyk and Soule. Signing Angelino permanently for the fee we managed made sense, although I’m not fully on board with him ending up as the main regular starter. What has lost marks is the lack of a replacement for Llorente (the decision not to keep him is one I’m still not fully comfortable with, especially now it looks like we’ll start the season with just three centre-backs) and as stated, if Dybala leaves it could undo some of the hard work in adjusting the attack. Soule is the signing I’m most excited about, but both he and Dovbyk could have extra pressure on them quickly when they need time to gel. If Dovbyk matches his Girona form, though, he would be the player with the most noticeable impact.

Serena: Biggest impact, Soule. The transfer market 7,5. Could be higher with a CB and 1/2 full backs.

Tom: Solid 7/10. If we lose Dybala I’d probably throw it down to a Zero but let’s hope his family are settled enough to want to stay in Rome than a big pay day out in the Gulf. Soule, Dovbyk and Le Fee are ofc the most interesting and exciting deals, plus Baldanzi’s first full season in giallorosso should hopefully yield good results, especially if La Joya leaves. 

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Who do you think will make the most appearances, and score the most goals, for Roma this season?

Arron: Mancio for appearances and hopefully Dovbyk for goals!

Dec: I’d like to see Mancini and Cristante continue as mainstays in the team. Top goal scorer is tough because Dybala is undoubtedly the best but ? over his future with Saudi clubs lurking and his minutes, Tammy is back but WHU-bound? and Dovbyk is exciting. I’ll say Paulo if he stays.

Dom: Appearances – Mancini, really improved his discipline and a rock at the back. Seems not to pick up many injuries too. Goals – Dovbyk, looks like the type of striker to make a success in Italy and I hope he can hit the ground running after last season.

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Eddie: Mancini will be a stalwart and will play through injuries like a machine so can see him getting the most minutes. We bought in Dovbyk to be a goal machine and improve our, sometimes, wayward finishing. So, you have to hope he is top scorer for us. 

Harry: Svilar, Dovbyk

Kier: Most Appearances – Mancini. ⁠Most Goals – Dovbyk

Samuel: Most appearances: Mancini – not much competition for his place and he grew last season. Our Giallorossi Yorkshire player of the season, remember. Most goals: Dybala, but if he leaves, I have a sneaky feeling about Soule.

Serena: No idea

Tom: Most Apps, il capitano himself Pellegrini. If he stays fit and replicates that wonder seasons from a few years back we’ll be cooking with gas and he may even finish as one of our highest finishers. But Most Goals for me will be Dovbyk, he seemed to be the love child of Dzeko and Shevchenko at Girona last season. No reason he can’t be the club’s top marksman or Serie A capocannoniere. 

If you were in charge, what would you pick as Roma’s strongest lineup?

Arron: Svilar – Celik Mancio Ndicka Angelino – Paredes Cristante – Dybala Pellegrini ElSha/Soule – Dovbyk

Dec: 4-2-3-1

GK: Svilar

DEF: Celik, Mancini, N’Dicka, Angelino

MID: Cristante, Le Fee

Soule, Dybala, Pellegrini

ATT: Dovbyk

I’d like to see some fluidity with that front 4, swaps between Pell and Dybala – Dybala and Dovbyk, Soule on both wings – let’s be creative.

Dom: Svilar

Celik (oof) Mancini Ndicka Angeliño

Le Fee Paredes Pellegrini

Dybala

Dovbyk Soule (wider and fluid with Dybala)

Eddie: Depends if Dybala is here/fit or not. He could and should slot in to Soule or Pellegrini’s positions either from the bench or start. 

Svilar 

Celik* – Mancini – Ndicka – Angelino 

Le Fee – Paredes

Soule – Pellegrini – El Sha*

Dovbyk

*future signings will hopefully take these starting roles. 

Harry: Svilar, Dahl, Mancini, Ndicka, Celik, Le Fee, Pellegrini, Paredes, Dybala (potentially Chiesa now), Dovbyk, Soule

Kier: Svilar, Angelino, Mancini, Smalling, Zalewski, Bove, Paredes, Soule, Pellegrini, Dybala, Dovbyk

Samuel: I was looking forward to a system with Dybala as a false nine but the investment in Dovbyk rules that out as the first choice anyway, regardless of La Joya’s future. My lineup would be: Svilar – Celik, Mancini, Smalling (if fit), Angelino – Paredes, Le Fee – Soule, Dybala (if he stays, if not Pellegrini), El Shaarawy – Dovbyk

Serena: Svilar – Angeliño, Ndicka, Mancini, New signing – Cristante, Le Fee – Dybala, Soule, Elsha – Dovbyk

Tom: (4-3-3 false 9 ) GK- Svilar, RB-Celik, CB- Mancini, CB- Ndicka, LB-Angeliño, CDM- Bove, CM (8)- Le Fee, CM (10)- Lo Pelle, LW – El Sha, RW Soule, CF Dybala. 

What would Roma need to do for you to class it as a successful season?

Arron: Finish above Lazio for sure but I think qualify for CL is a real statement if we manage.

Dec: Our record against the top teams needs to be stronger – it’s an obvious statement that you need to beat the best to be up there, and I think a bit more tactical maturity from DDR is what’s needed – granted he’s a new manager so it will come in time, but I think there’s pressure on him this year to find it. If he can match his passion and leadership with a way to beat the top teams, then we will be where we want to be.

Dom: Champions League football feels like a minimum after a long time away. 5th in the UEFA coefficients having not been in the top competition. Another tilt at the Europa and a go at the Coppa an extra bonus for everyone.

Eddie: Top 4 would be massive and should be the goal. I’d still probably be OK with top 6 if we see good growth and play. It’s the start of the new project and our squad is generally younger and hungrier but that will also come with some naivety / people learning DDR’s ideas. Some statement wins along the way would sugar coat a non-CL finishing spot.

Harry: Top 4, has to be

Kier: Simple. Qualify for Champions League football.

Samuel: Any route back into the Champions League has to be the be all and end all, as it has for too long now.

Serena: Serie A 4th, Europa League final, Winner of Coppa Italia

Tom: Qualify for the UCL and win a cup. The latter is more of an added bonus but it should be the case every season. Getting that berth in the Champions League is a must, especially with the way the club’s conducted business this season. It’s now or never!