The signs were clear when Amantio Mancini departed for title rivals Inter Milan in the summer for a measly £8.7m. The replacement was John Arne Riise. Need I say more? Well, yes. After the 0-4 thrashing at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Inter, Roma President Rosella Sensi was in tears.

An experienced Serie A performer was replaced by a Norwegian left back that occasionally filled in the wide midfield role as a stop gap for former club Liverpool. Riise’s claim to fame was the occasional spectacular long range free kick. Yet a lack of technique and general awareness of play would not hold him in good stead for a club that has been acclaimed for its fluid technical play. The signing was only made by Luciano Spalletti due to a lack of transfer funds, with the capital club in serious debt.

Mirko Vucinic has been converted from a profligate striker to a winger, with the spindly Montenegrin once more reflecting how the level of quality has fallen since the days of Batistuta and co. The striker-turned-winger is very impressive in terms of link up play, but his minimal effect is further reduced by playing out wide. On the other flank, Taddei lacks end product and is prone to the most horrendous of misses.

A clear indication of how this season is set to pan out was the signing of Julio Baptista. The Madrid and Arsenal reject has seen his stock fallen since firing in 50 goals in two years for Sevilla. Nicknamed ‘la Bestia’, for his impressive physical presence, this description ignores his lumbering style of play, poor touch and lack of awareness. Despite scoring twice at Bordeaux against ten men in the Champions League, his contribution to league performances has been minimal, with the side languishing in 14^th place.

Yet this has been due to injury, with a fully fit Baptista, with flaws included, could prosper in a league with a slower tempo. He could reinvigorate the strong central midfield duo of Aquilani and De Rossi, who haven’t been as effective in recent times, with a lack of passing options in the final third of the pitch. The former can show naivety, while the latter seems to be exhausted with the burden of Italy and Roma’s hopes placed squarely on his shoulders. Even by buying a central player, their cause hasn’t been helped by injury.

Spalletti’s 4-6-0 formation requires Francesco Totti to be fit, in order to link up and feed the midfield runners such as Taddei and Perrotta, and with their captain generally being injured or off form for the past year, the side has struggled, with inadequate replacements. Having played just over an hour of football prior to the game against Inter this past weekend, Totti looked short of any midfield support. Baptista could add support when he returns but the signs should make Giallorossi worried.

The Italian style of play has also fared poorly in Europe, with the intensity and pace of the English game overwhelming its foreign counterparts. Unfortunately for Roma, the 7-1 defeat at Old Trafford was the epitome of this recent trend. The catenaccio style which Italy has been famous for has been abandoned by Roma in recent years, with a fragile defence of Panucci, Mexes, Juan and Tonetto nowhere near the level required for a championship winning side.

Few quality options have not been helped by suspension, with Mexes, Panucci and Cassetti all suspended from the Inter game. The Frenchman stupidly insulted the referee, receiving a three game ban. A makeshift back four including Simone Loria conceded two goals to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which may have been prevented those banned from this game. The other two goals in a 0-4 defeat were wonder strikes from Dejan Stankovic and Victor Obinna.

It led to Roma’s fourth defeat of the season – the same number which they accumulated throughout the whole of last season. Fans may look to a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Inter last year as a turning point, but this time it appears to be a struggle to even make the champions League places. It is a threat out wide which they require along with luck with injuries and defensive solidity. Even the signing of injury ravaged but the talented Jeremy Menez, one of a long list of names to be likened to Zidane, will not provide the immediate solution. The former Monaco winger will need time to adapt and fulfil his undoubted potential.

Often critics claim the sign of a big team is one where there is a reaction following a downturn in form. What bigger game will there be for the club than Chelsea? An English opponent, with power and pace, a combination which troubles all Italian sides, will be a true test of this side. Chelsea won their last league game 0-5 at Middlesbrough by barely moving out of second gear. Although to be fair, the Riverside club did have one of their worst performances under Gareth Southgate’s reign. Nevertheless, Luiz Felipe Scolari has instilled a fear factor in sides facing Chelsea.

With the title seemingly gone and a battle on in Serie A for the Champions League spots, will Roma make a statement of intent for the European Cup, or will it be just another win at the Bridge for the Blues?