By David Lee Wheatley
Everything appears to be going swimmingly for AS Roma, as they sit proudly atop the Serie A table under a bright coach alongside myriad new players who've quickly integrated and are performing out of their skins for the league leaders.
The Giallorossi hold the only 100% record in the division following seven straight wins, putting them two points clear of strong contenders Napoli and reigning champions Juventus at this early stage of proceedings. They further stamped their authority on top spot with a stunning 3-0 battering of fourth-placed Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza last time around and there appears no let-up in Roma's relentless march towards what would be a first Scudetto since 2001.
Former Lille coach Rudi Garcia arrived in the summer amid very little fanfare, but has since inspired a start to the campaign that very few observers saw coming.
One of the biggest surprises has been the form of ex-Arsenal misfit Gervinho, who looked completely devoid of confidence during an ill-fated spell in north London. Now all of a sudden, the Ivorian is a bone fide match-winner finally showing the capabilities Arsene Wenger always believed he possessed within him, but only now coming to fruition in the Eternal City under the wing of his former mentor Garcia.
Along with Gervinho's three strikes so far, the goals have been shared out healthily across the squad with captain and inspiration Totti, new man from Fiorentina Adem Ljajic and even defender Mehdi Benatia getting amongst the scoring free-for-all.
Out on top of the charts, though, is right winger Alessandro Florenzi with four, including the opener that set Roma on their way versus Inter. At 22, Florenzi is just beginning to make his mark in a team that have clicked markedly better than anyone expected and in spectacular fashion to boot.
Garcia's attack-minded side have brushed aside all before them and the Frenchman will be determined to push his charges on to even greater heights with a summit meeting against Napoli set for Friday evening at the Stadio Olimpico. Victory in that titanic clash would present further evidence of Roma's championship credentials against their arch-rivals, while putting some serious daylight between themselves and Rafa Benitez's pretenders to Juve's crown.
Roman icon Francesco Totti has an extremely exciting opportunity to lead his hometown team to a league title that he never thought possible. One step at a time, a first Scudetto for 13 years is drawing ever nearer for the Giallorossi in the most open Serie A battle of recent years.
Twitter: @davewh1980
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