01 November 1897
After reinforcing their ranks over the summer, last season’s runners up have been tipped to challenge for the Scudetto again this year.
Juventus.com focuses on three of Rudi Garcia’s men who will be crucial to the Giallorossi’s cause both against the Bianconeri on Sunday and for the campaign ahead.
Radja Nainggolan, 27, Midfielder
Since joining Roma from Cagliari in January 2014, Radja Nainggolan has established himself as a colossus at the heart of the Capitoline club’s midfield. Capable of breaking down opposition attacks, while also dangerous in the final third, the Belgian international boasts the dynamism to burst from box to box with devastating results. Last season, Nainggolan made 88 tackles, while regaining possession for his side an impressive 208 times. The 27-year-old also managed five goals and six assists during 2014/15, while he has already commenced the current campaign in lively fashion, creating five goal scoring chances and having as many shots of his own in the Giallorossi’s opening day draw at Verona.
Miralem Pjanic, 25, Midfielder
Miralem Pjanic is very much Roma’s creative force and has pulled the strings for the Giallorossi ever since his arrival at the club in 2011. The Bosnian acquired the nickname ‘Il Pianista’ (the piano player) for his cultured reading of the game, comfort on the ball and ability to spread the play. Last season saw the midfielder finish as Serie A’s third-highest creator of chances (69), while completing the third-highest number of passes in the division (1,976). Pjanic has also made a number of telling contributions in the final third, having provided ten assists and netted five of his own in 2014/15. After growing up in Luxembourg, the 25-year-old midfielder represented the country at youth level before opting to play for Bosnia, with whom he has already accumulated 58 caps and nine goals.
Edin Dzeko, 29, Forward
A compatriot of Pjanic, Roma supporters will be hoping that the new summer signing links up well with the established midfield maestro. Edin Dzeko boasts a fine goal scoring pedigree ever since he burst onto the scene with Wolfsburg, for whom he fired 26 goals during their Bundesliga-winning campaign in 2008/09. A big money move to Manchester City followed 18 months later and the striker continued to hit impressive figures in England, netting on 72 occasions in four and a half seasons with the Citizens. Renowned primarily for his scoring prowess, the 29-year-old has also turned provider 76 times in his career, the latest of which came on his Roma debut, setting up Alessandro Florenzi’s equaliser against Verona last Saturday.
