Page 2 - AS Roma

25th August 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
When Aleksandar Kolarov ended his successful seven year association with Manchester City, where he won two Premier League titles, two league cups and an FA Cup, to join AS Roma, his decision was met with disgust by the Lazio fans who labelled their former star a traitor and a worm.

Upon deciding to join Roma, he must have known the Lazio supporters that used to cheer him on wouldn't be happy, but instead of calming the situation, his comments on the move only added fuel to the fire. "I cannot, and do not want to, deny my past. But now I am with Roma and just as I gave 100 per cent when I was at Lazio I will now give 100 per cent and more for Roma," he proclaimed.

"Lazio was a good experience for me, but from today they are my rivals on the pitch. My aim is always to win. I will give 100 per cent to win every game and try and

23rd August 2017. By Ryan Baldi.
With the 2017/18 season now under way in the major European leagues, all eyes are focussed on the stars of the previous campaign, many of whom have switched clubs for huge fees, to see whether they can maintain the form shown last term.

Kylian Mbappe was undoubtedly the youngster who made the biggest impact in 2016/17, breaking into the Monaco first team to star domestically and in the Champions League, helping the Monegasque side earn a first Ligue 1 title since 2000, when the prodigious forward was only 18 months old.

But the new season also presents a chance for new stars to emerge, young hopefuls primed to take the next step in their development and establish themselves as genuine stars of the game.

Here are seven young players from across Europe set for breakout campaigns this season.

Adam Ounas Napoli

Before his move to Napoli this summer in a deal which could reach up to €12million

7th July 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
After two successful seasons at Sassuolo under the watchful eye of the newly installed AS Roma manager, Eusebio Di Francesco, Lorenzo Pellegrini's singing makes perfect sense for the Giallorossi.

Being a former Roma youth product, the move represents a return home for the 21-year-old, something Pellegrini described as the fulfilling of a dream, and a fine reward for all his hard work, improvement and persistence with the Neroverdi. Moreover, his arrival will hold extra significance to the fans, who love their homegrown players, for they now have three Rome born academy graduates to cheer on as Pellegrini joins his idol Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Florenzi.

In addition, the fact he's worked under Di Francesco, who's been an instrumental figure in his development, and is so accustomed to his methods, should combine

5th June 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Even though Luciano Spalletti did a fantastic job in his second stint managing AS Roma, which culminated in him leading the club to an exceptional second place finish in Serie A this season, he knew he'd had enough.

While choosing to leave after acquiring the most points ever in a league campaign for the storied club (87) and achieving the highest points per game average (roughly two per game) of any manager in their history, Spalletti's decision to leave is entirely understandable, however.

Under constant scrutiny and pressure from the relentless Roman media, especially in relation to his handling of the legendary Francesco Totti, who many felt Spalletti under used, his frustration was growing ever more evident as the season progressed.

His anger overflowed back in May when quizzed about his decision to sparingly utilise Totti, where he made his feelings known to the press under no uncertain terms. "All this really disappoints

19th May 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Despite being stuck behind AS Roma's exceptional midfielder duo of Daniele De Rossi and Kevin Strootman for chunks of the season, Leandro Paredes has proved himself to be a brilliant replacement whenever afforded an opportunity.

The former Boca Juniors product, who Roma signed as a trequartista in 2014 and was transformed into a deep lying playmaker under Marco Giampaolo on loan at Empoli last season, has continued his adaption to his new role beautifully. Indeed, as the campaign's progressed and he's further honed his skillset at the base of midfield, Paredes' importance to the Giallorossi has grown rapidly, with his form seeing him emerge as a creative, reliable and durable option.

"I was always a trequartista until I joined Roma. When I went to Empoli, [Marco] Giampaolo put me in front of the defence. I really like the position. I had my doubts in the beginning because I'd never played there before, but I enjoy it now. I get

10th May 2017.
Any Manchester City fans stumbling upon coverage of a Roma game this season could be forgiven for not recognizing the tall, powerful forward banging in goal after goal for the Giallorossi. But the imposing figure in the No.9 shirt, the man who tops the Serie A scoring charts this season with 27 goals in 35 games, in none other than former City striker Edin Džeko.

In five season at the Etihad Stadium, Džeko, though a regular goal scorer, was never taken into the hearts of the City faithful in quite the same way as the more prolific Sergio Agüero or diminutive genius David Silva.

When the towering, 6ft 4ins Bosnian was shipped out to Roma on loan in the summer of 2015, before then making the move permanent last year, there were few on the blue side of Manchester sad to see him go.

However, since settling in the Italian capital, Džeko has marked himself out once again as one of the deadliest forwards in Europe, netting a phenomenal

Friday 7th April. By Edward Stratmann.
Even though AS Roma prevailed 3-2 over Lazio in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal, it still wasn't enough to overturn the two goal deficit they faced from the first leg, as they disappointingly succumbed 3-4 on aggregate.

On a night that marked the return of the Curva Sud, another positive could be drawn from the impressive performance of Stephan El Shaarawy. Starting his 22nd match of the season, the skillful attacker gave the fans plenty to get excited about from his left wing post.

As one of only two Italians to begin the match, the other being Lazio forward Ciro Immobile, El Shaarawy's pace, dribbling prowess and smart movement ensured his direct opponent, Dusan Basta, had a challenging time dealing with him.

Whenever the opportunity to come infield presented itself, El Shaarawy always took it up, allowing him to receive possession in more dangerous central areas, plus create room on the flank for Emerson

20th March 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Obtaining playing time was never going to be a straightforward task for Clement Grenier when he arrived at AS Roma on loan in January from Lyon. With the likes of Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman, Radja Nainggolan and Leandro Paredes ahead of him in the pecking order for a spot within the Giallorossi's ultra competitive midfield, Grenier knew he'd have to be patient and wait for his opportunity.

Having waited over two months, last Sunday night, the 26-year-old midfielder was finally handed his Serie A starting debut, and he unquestionably made the most of his chance. While the man whose only other minutes came in a two minute cameo vs Fiorentina showed signs of tiredness in the second half, which led to his early substitution on 64 minutes, during his time afield, he was quite possibly Roma's most influential player.

Deployed on

1st March 2017. By Ryan Baldi.
"If you have ten Nainggolans you have a great team regardless of role Â… Radja is one of those players that can do anything."

Roma manager Luciano Spalletti was effusive in his praise of Radja Nainggolan after his side's 3-1 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro last weekend.

It certainly feels as though Nainggolan can do anything at the moment. The Belgian midfielder has been in outstanding form since Serie A resumed after its winter break, and his performance against the Nerazzurri was perhaps one of the finest of his career.

The 28-year-old was typically combative, while also assured and confident on the ball. Like a prime Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira, few players are able to drive their team on as Nainggolan does when at his best.

The midfield powerhouse is tenacious in carrying out his defensive duties and dynamic when transitioning into attack,

20th February 2017. By Edward Stratmann.
Emerson Palmieri's encouraging finish to last season was a reward for all his hard work in training trying to impress his manager, the tactically sophisticated AS Roma's Luciano Spalletti.

With Lucas Digne ahead of him in the pecking order, Emerson's patience and persistence finally paid off, with Spalletti granting him some valuable appearances off the bench and one start towards the end of the 2015/2016 campaign.

In Roma's final match of the crusade, against AC Milan, a game the Giallorossi went on to win 3-1, this served as a landmark occasion for the Brazilian. Coming off the bench, the then Santos loanee produced a splendid cameo that culminated in him scoring his first ever league goal for the club.

"I'm happy to have the coach's faith," a delighted Emerson said after the game. "I'm doing everything