In the backdrop of the mighty Roman Colosseum stands an A.S. Roma side with a gladiator spirit as it looks to contend for the Italian Scudetto this season. Newly appointed coach, Rudi Garcia has assembled a team that is currently on top of the Serie A with a flawless 8-0 balance equaling the record held by Michel Platini's Juventus. Few would have imagined that Roma would be a focal point in the season with so many league contenders like champions Juventus; an all-star Napoli squad and a rejuvenated AC Milan. With only eight games into the season, Roma already outplayed their hometown rivals Lazio along with Italian giants Inter Milan and S.S.C. Napoli. With so much commotion and excitement from the Rome camp it's hard to realize that the club finished in sixth place last season and is currently waiting 13 years for a league title. This drastic turn of events is the result of tactics unbeknown to much of Italian Calcio through manager Rudi Garcia. The heads of the Roman club knew that when they appointed the Frenchman they were instilling a fresh breathe of attacking football to a defensive minded league. Before the call up, Garcia made his name known with French Ligue 1 side Lille. Garcia's entire philosophy rested on playing stylish attacking football. During his time at Lille he brought out the most from youngsters like Eden Hazard to clinch a cup and league double in the 2010/11 season. Just watching the Roma-Napoli match I couldn't help, but notice such attacking football brought about through Roma's high line of defense and rapid tempo. Currently, Garcia's tactics are putting goals in the back of the net leaving opponents unprepared strategically to face off against the league leaders. Apart from Garcia's managerial skills, Roma are utilizing their newest acquisitions brought to the club over the summer. The team has a solid defensive line through their new addition; the experienced free agent from Manchester City, right back, Maicon. His communication with the fullbacks keeps the team organized allowing the midfielders to push forward to create chances. However, this attack minded side owes a great deal to their new goalie from Napoli, Morgan De Sanctis, who has only let in one goal so far in the season. Granted the defense has been solid the number 1 has made some crucial saves against top strikers like Goran Pandev and Rodrigo Palacio. Still, the focus on this team is the sword and not the shield. Creative midfielder Kevin Strootman from PSV and striker Gervinho from Arsenal look ripe to fit into Garcia's attack minded tactics. All this creates a wide bench that helps keep players on rotation as different stars shine each game. One of the strongest forces in Roma's new attack is the Balkan connection in Serbian Adem Ljajic from Fiorentina and Bosnian Miralem Pjanic. The former being a young energetic second striker while the latter is a technically gifted play maker. All these attacking options for Roma are the reason why they currently lead the league in goal differential with a plus nine over the second best team. Now, all these new additions and improvements add flare and bring results, but Roma also have an incomparable heart and soul in Daniele De Rossi and 'The Roman Gladiator' himself Francesco Totti. Both stars have played their entire professional careers representing only the imperial purple and golden yellow. With Totti already 37 years old, and one of the last of his generation, it would be the ideal send off for a player of his stature to finish his role as the king of Rome with a Serie A title. The spectacle unfolding in Rome has been riveting so far in a league that has seen a drop in its contention for European dominance. With these gladiators from the imperial city back in form there's no telling how many ferocious beasts they will slay on their way to contend for the Scudetto.
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