The Eternal City team has made a steady improvement over the past few years and are now a lot stronger than the side that was humiliated at Old Trafford back in April 2007.
Luciano Spalletti's side had a marvellous domestic season last year but the funds were not forthcoming during the summer to strengthen the squad with rumours of a foreign takeover still looming large.
Even talisman Francesco Totti is predicting that his side are unlikely to better their second place Serie A finish last season. He said: 'We have a squad that can compete for fourth place.'
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
Spalletti's three years in charge of the Rome club has seen his stock rise throughout Europe, with the former Udinese manager linked with several clubs, including Chelsea, during the summer.
Spalletti may be hanging around for the rumoured foreign investment that could see the club turn into a major force, or else he may have been bitten by the same bug that has kept Italian superstar Francesco Totti at the infectious capital club.
One to watch: Daniele De Rossi
Central to Spalletti's ambitions to play attractive attacking football, the Italy international is the driving force behind Roma's recent successes.
De Rossi is a no-nonsense midfielder cut from the same cloth as Milan legend Gennaro Gattuso, although the World Cup winner is also well able to pass the ball around when in possession.
De Rossi's form is vital to Roma qualifying for the knock-out phase and his 2008 season has started well, scoring both goals for Italy in their victory over Georgia.
