Earlier this month, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli decided to leave Roma midfield boy wonder Alessandro Florenzi at home but that wasn’t the only point of contention from a Giallorossi perspective.
The Italian press and public have clamoured for rejuvenated talisman Francesco Totti to be included in Prandelli’s 23-man-squad. Alas, it wasn’t to be.
While trying to overcome the heartache of Totti being denied a shot at a second World Cup, I have picked out three Roma stars worth keeping an eye on in Brazil.
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Miralem Pjanic
One of the hottest properties in European football, Miralem Pjanic has gone from strength-to-strength at the sharp end of Roma’s midfield trio this season. Long tipped as a potential star, the Bosnian announced himself on the world stage proper on the very first game of the season with an outrageous chip against Verona.
Since then, he has contributed remarkable composure, a broad passing range and the ability to turn games in an instant (free-kick winner against Napoli or a slalom run against Milan, anyone?)
As the standout in a dark-horse of a Bosnian side, Pjanic could once again show fans around the world why he is so coveted by Paris St Germain and Barcelona alike.
Gervinho
The Ivorian has reinvented himself at the Stadio Olimpico, proving to be a far more effective winger with Roma than he ever was at Arsenal. Gervinho may still offer the odd inexplicable miss and dally on the ball for a second too long on occasion, but he has delivered when it mattered for Rudi Garcia’s side becoming one of the stars of the Serie A season. Notching 10 goals and 12 assists in one of Europe’s stingiest leagues is not easy, and the 27-year-old has been worth every penny from Roma’s perspective.
Expect him to bag at least one goal in Brazil and look damn delighted doing it.
Mattia Destro
While he is not on the plane yet (he is still only named in a provisional 30-man squad), Mattia Destro has stunned his critics this year with a scintillating return from injury.
The former Inter Milan striker has bagged 13 goals in 19 Serie A appearances, averaging a goal every 80-odd minutes. His resurgence after recovery from a long-lay off propelled the Giallorossi into the Champions League for the first time in years and gave Rudi Garcia plenty of options for his customary 4-3-3.
Even if he makes the squad, he could remain relatively unused behind the likes of Mario Balotelli and Ciro Immobile. But, given the chance, he has the potential to score against anyone.
