Fiorentina proved they could be a threat last season and the signing of Alberto Gilardino from Milan could help spearhead their challenge to improve on last season's surprise fourth place. Keeping Adrian Mutu from the clutches of Roma will be another lift for the Gigliati, whose sporting director Pantaleo Corvino said: "The big teams are no longer in another galaxy." When you laud a bit-part figure from Real Madrid as your biggest summer transfer, it does not augur well. Roma came so close to the Scudetto last season, but a top four spot could be beyond them this time.
Julio Baptista is the man they are putting their hopes on, but the Brazilian has proved more a miss than a hit during his recent spells at the Bernabeu and a loan season at Arsenal. Luciano Spalletti will look to Francesco Totti for inspiration again, but he is not getting any younger. Sampdoria could also challenge if Antonio Cassano shows the form which made him one of the world's brightest young prospects before he lost his way at Real Madrid.
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