The Testaccio coach will need time to instill clear and concrete ideas in his “new” Roma, factors which have been lacking in the team at the start of this season.

Last week, around this time, the much-anticipated and then official return of Claudio Ranieri to the helm of Roma was set in motion. The news of the third chapter in the story linking the Giallorossi club and the Testaccio coach, hailed by many as a true “savior”, has brought a gust of euphoria and hope for the future to the capital. This after a start to the season that has been nothing short of troubled and far below expectations, first under the leadership of De Rossi and then Juric. Confirming the newfound enthusiasm, as if the evident bond of the 73-year-old with the Roma fans was not enough, is the current news of the yellow-red exodus to London for the Europa League challenge against Tottenham on Thursday, November 29 (with an expected attendance of 3,000 fans, the guest sector sold out within a few hours) and the complete sell-out also at the Olimpico for the match on Monday, December 2 against Atalanta (with more than 50,000 tickets already sold). However, Ranieri will need time to instill clarity and concreteness in his “new” Roma, qualities that have been lacking in the team at the start of the season but characterize Claudio “Sor”. On Sunday, the 15th, the championship resumes against Como coached by Fabregas at the Manzoni-inspired Sinigaglia, and then on Wednesday the 18th, it’s Roma versus Sampdoria in the Italian Cup. The year will reach its crescendo with clashes against Parma (22nd December, at Olimpico) and Milan (29th, at San Siro), but 2025 will also kick off with a bang: a riveting derby against Lazio on Sunday, January 5th, an eagerly-anticipated night game, making its comeback after nearly six years. Subsequently, the return phase of the Serie A championship will begin, and commitments for the League Phase of the Europa League will only end in late January. This isn’t even taking into account (and hopefully it happens without any “calculations”) an extension of their adventure in the Coppa Italia and European field. Essentially, up until mid-March, Roma will not have a single moment of respite, making cohesion and a united front crucial for those who cross the gates of Trigoria daily. Marcello Spaziani