AS Roma opens the new Serie A campaign just like it ended last season - as Inter Milan's top challenger.
Roma showed glimpses of what type of challenge it will present by dominating long stretches of Saturday's Super Cup, before eventually getting beat 3-1 by Inter.
''Inter is an unbelievable squad - few others in the world play that level - and we kept them in check for an hour,'' Roma captain Francesco Totti said. ''I think we're stronger than last season.''
While Luca Toni has gone to Genoa, Roma is hoping it gets a boost in attack from Adriano's return to the Italian league after a two-year absence.
''He's capable of winning games all by himself,'' Totti said of the former Inter Milan forward, who had returned to play in Brazil the past two seasons.
Still, as Adriano himself is aware, he begins the season in far from his best shape.
''I'm still not in top form but I feel good,'' the Brazilian said. ''I've just got to keep working.''
Along with Totti, Mirko Vucinic and Jeremy Menez, Adriano gives Roma four high-quality forwards.
Other additions are Brazilian midfielder Fabio Simplicio from Palermo and defender Guillermo Burdisso, the younger brother of Nicolas Burdisso, who played for Roma last season on loan from Inter.
Totti, who turns 34 in September, has big ambitions for this season.
''We're going to try and fight for the Serie A title and try to go far in the Champions League,'' said Totti, who was a member of the Italy side that won the 2006 World Cup. ''If I had to choose I would prefer the Champions League. It's the only important trophy I haven't won.''
After finishing a disappointing sixth in 2008-09, Roma challenged Inter until the final round last season and finished only two points behind the Serie A winner. If the Giallorossi hadn't started the season with two losses - which led to Claudio Ranieri replacing Luciano Spalletti as manager - the outcome may have been different.
''I'm hoping Roma is competitive all season,'' said Ranieri, who is the only coach who remained in place among the top contenders.
With the club up for sale, Roma has once again had to be cautious in its offseason spending so as not to create too much debt.
''I knew there would be economic difficulties when I accepted this job, but I remain confident in our management,'' Ranieri said, adding that he is hoping for a couple more new players before the transfer window closes on Aug. 31.
