Roma were held to a 1-1 draw in the recent Derby della Capitale against fierce rivals Lazio, all but ending their hopes of a return to Europe’s premier competition.

What has happened to Roma! Two years ago this was a club that were consistently present amongst Europe’s elite, although in recent times they have been a shadow of their former selves, as the Giallorossi have struggled on all fronts, following changes to both management and ownership at the club.

When Vincenzo Montella – a modern day manager full of fresh ideas – took over from Claudio Ranieri in 2011, he had an experienced squad at his disposal, inclusive of club icons Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi, who were at the peak of their powers. The future looked bright in Rome.

However following the take over of ownership by Thomas DiBenedetto and co, this was soon to change. Experienced players were axed, Montella was not named the permanent boss, and money was spent on unproven players to come in and win a title. Did they really expect silverware after making such significantly prompt decisions?

Take the Manchester City squad growth as an example. When their investors came in and took charge of the club, the Citizens certainly did not enjoy immediate success. In fact if I recall correctly, they failed to make the top six in their first season in charge. The capital club targeted an objective that was never going to be achieved, particularly with the crop of fresh faces they had, which has now brought us to this.

Two years on, struggling to qualify for even the Europa League, and looking as if they are a club that have taken three steps back, rather than a couple forward – proven in their dominant display against Lazio on Monday night, which resulted in only a draw. Having sacked two coaches in less than 12 months, the Romans simply must settle with the new man at the helm, and give Aurelio Andreazzoli every possible chance to build his very own Roma.

With just seven games remaining in Italy, the Giallorossi would require a miracle if they are to finish in the top three, as 10 points separate them from third placed AC Milan – a team that arguably are the most in-form team in Italy.

Europa League action is still a possibility, but is that really enough for a club that were consistently playing amongst the continent’s best just two years ago? I for one don’t think so…

What are your thoughts on Roma’s current woes? Do they deserve to be playing Champions League football given their current squad? What changes would you make? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below…

SoccerAnchor’s Dewa Nugrah takes a look at Kwadwo Asamoah's new adventure  from Udinese to another Bianconeri, Juventus.

KWADWO ASAMOAH

FROM: UDINESE  TO:  JUVENTUS 

PRICE: €18 million

Catching the eyes of many big clubs in the past couple seasons, mainly Serie A top sides, Kwadwo Asamoah decides to continue his journey in another black and white color this summer as the Ghanaian ended his Udinese adventure for a new chapter at Juventus.

Asamoah's switch to Turin this summer  was rather surprising since it was another Italian giant, Ac Milan, who have been previously linked more with the  23-year-old midfielder but it was Juve who took him instead. The Ghanaian was grabbed in a 18 million worth deal but still isn't fully owned by Antonio Conte's side as just yet, since  Udinese  hold the other  part  in a pretty complicated financial agreement.

Still only 23, it's not a surprise that Asamoah's professional career was spent with Udinese, since he was signed from Ac Bellinzona in  2008. Walking his path slowly into the first team, the midfielder eventually brought many attention after becoming one of the Friulani main actors during their success in acquiring Champions League spot in the past two seasons.

Already having plenty international football experience with Ghana, this summer is indeed the perfect moment for Asamoah  to get his big move as  it's an important step in improving his footballing qualities. Although the competition in getting into the Old Lady's starting line up would be tough, but  with his talent,  the young midfielder might be an important asset already for Juventus this summer.

In Turin, Asamoah will most likely be given a  role as one of the “mezzalla”, competing with the likes  of Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio, who were performing brilliantly for Conte's team last season. Having a strong physical attributes along with composed passing skills, the Ghanaian could really challenge both Vidal and Marchisio for a spot in midfield, but the 23-year-old must work hard to impress Conte before thinking of getting a place.

However, should Asamoah only being considered as a backup  for Vidal or Machisio,  the Ghanaian will still have plenty playing time next summer, because of Juventus' hectic schedule with Champions League football around.  In all, the 2010 Most Promising African Player would be a fine addition for the Bianconeri and give much neede help for Conte  in building a competitive side which could compete well in Europe and maintain their Scudetto  race this upcoming season.

SoccerAnchor’s Alex Pavlidis takes a look at Samir Handanovic's transfer from Udinese to the Guiseppe Meazza with Inter. 

SAMIR HANDANOVIC

FROM: UDINESE  TO:  INTER MILAN

PRICE: £8.8 million

In one of the most interesting transfers of the Serie A off-season, goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has made the move from Udinese to Inter Milan for a reported 8.8 million pounds.

One would assume that in such a big money transfer, Handanovic would be a regular starter for the Nerazzuri however it seems the Slovenian international will enter the club in a cloud of uncertainty. Brazilian shot stopper Julio Cesar has had an indifferent season for Inter but has vowed to continue on at the Giuseppe Meazza even though he has fallen out of favour with coach Andrea Stramaccioni.

Rumours have circled around Julio Cesar replacing Maarten Stekelenburg at Roma and a possible move back to Brazil but at this stage, nothing has been set in concrete with the goalkeeper being left out of Inter’s pre-season training camp. On the other hand, Handanovic has began training with Inter, not allowing the speculation to hamper his preparation for the 2012/13 season.

The Slovenian captain had held the number one jersey at Udinese since 2007 but the 28 year-old struggled to break into the first team after his signing in 2004 from his junior side NK Domzale. After going on loan to Treviso, Lazio and AC Rimini, Handanovic returned to Udinese to take up the starting goalkeeper position and had made the position his own.

Playing at the 2010 World Cup, Handanovic’s Slovenia surprised many in the tournament and the custodian was remembered for his brilliant fingertip save from point blank range against England. Although his side were unlucky to progress, Handanovic affirmed his position has one of the world’s most underrated goalkeepers and his past two seasons for Udinese continued this trend.

Known for his large stature in front of attackers and an incredible leap, Handanovic will join Inter at the peak of his career, completing a dream move for the shot stopper to one of the biggest clubs in the world. After achieving relative success with Udinese in the past two years, lifting the club to the upper tiers of the table, the six-foot-four goalkeeper will be looking to lift the Nerazzuri out of their current slump and back towards Champions League qualification.

If Inter were looking for anything at the moment, they would be seeking a level of consistency that Handanovic has shown in Serie A thus far keeping an incredible 17 clean sheets in the 2011/12 season. His experience and stature will be a valuable assed to his new side with a goalkeeper’s confidence having a large effect on their team’s performance. Julio Cesar’s form slump has reflected his side’s slide down the league table and Andrea Stramaccioni will look to rectify this with Handanovic’s signing.

SoccerAnchor’s Dewa Nugraha takes a look at Eljero Elia's return to Bundesliga with Werder Bremen after his unsuccessful spell at Juventus.

ELJERO ELIA

FROM: JUVENTUS  TO: WERDER BREMEN

PRICE:€5.5 million

Experiencing a very disappointing season in Serie A with Juventus, Eljero Elia decided that it' was better for him to head back and play in Bundesliga again as Werder Bremen could easily give him the playing time he needs.

Arriving in Turin from Hamburg on the summer of 2011, many things were expected from Elia at Juventus as he was showing lots of promise, which made him one of the most interesting commodities in the market that summer. Being brought in a €8.5million deal, the Dutch winger failed to impress the Bianconeri coach, Antonio Conte, who didn't seem to have any trust at all for the 25-year-old player.

Despite being touted as one of the promising signing for Juventus that summer, in the end, Elia only managed to play four games, making him lose his spot in the Dutch national team's Euro 2012 squad. This summer, the former FC Twente man decides to end his Serie A journey and accept Bremen's offer, hoping that his return to Bundesliga would be the best way in re-launching his previous reputation of being one of the Oranje's future talents.

Arriving at Bremen after the departure of Marko Marin could very well be the best moment for Elia as he could fill the spot left by the new Chelsea man. Having already tasted the Bundesliga before should make his adaptation much more easier, added with the motivation in proving his qualities again after such a terrible season in Turin, the 25-year-old might turn into an important signing for Thomas Schaaf's side.

Before experiencing his nightmare season in Italy, Elia was actually being strongly considered as one of the most exciting young talent from Holland, especially after his excellent performance with FC Twente, which earned him the best Dutch young player in 2009. Starting his career at ADO Den Haag, it was with Twente where the winger earn his reputation and started to attract attention from other European clubs.

After a successful two season with Twente, Elia eventually joined Hamburg and despite having a difficult start, he eventually did more than enough to earn a place in Holland's 2010 World Cup squad. Although the winger wasn't earning a starting role in South Africa, but some of his performances still attracted many suitors with Juventus being the one acquiring his service in the summer of 2011.

Being expected to be one of Conte's wide attacking players, apparently the Dutchman's inability to grasp the tactician's playing style put Elia into a miserable year. However, that disappointment looks to be long gone this summer as Bremen seems a perfect fit for the 25-year-old, especially since Schaaf is ready to set up a new formation that will maximize the ex-Hamburg's potential.

After mostly playing with a diamond midfield setup last season, Bremen are working on a wing-based setup next season as they are still trying out which of 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation will suit them best. This situation will benefit Elia a lot as his offensive characteristics can eventually be channeled out with the Green-Whites' new style, unlike when his force to do more defensive work in Turin.