History of A.S. Roma - in The New Millennium

In The New Millennium

Roma returned to form in the 2000s, signing flagship striker Gabriel Batistuta for 70 billion lire, Hidetoshi Nakata for 42 billion lire, Walter Samuel for 40.265 billion lire and Emerson for 35 billion lire in the 2000-01 season. At the same time, the club's shares were listed in Borsa Italiana. They started the decade in great style by winning a third ever Serie A title in 2000–01; the scudetto was won on the last day of the season, with Roma edging out Juventus by two points thanks to a 3-1 victory over Parma. Club captain Francesco Totti was a large reason for the title victory and he would become one of the main heroes in the club's history, going on to break several club records. Other important players during this period included Aldair, Cafu, Gabriel Batistuta and Vincenzo Montella. Antonio Cassano, was signed after the season for 60 billion lire.

The club's attempt to defend the title in the following season saw them finish as runners-up to Juventus by a single point. This would be the start of Roma finishing as runners-up several times in both Serie A and Coppa Italia during the 2000s; they lost out 4–2 to AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final of 2003 and lost out to Milan again by finishing second in Serie A for the 2003–04 season.

Financial difficulties began to surface in the 2002-03 season. Batistuta was loaned to Inter mid-season to save money on his high wages and along with Cafu was released in June. In the 2003-04 season, the signing of Cristian Chivu (who had originally agreed to sign in July 2003) was only completed in September 2003 with the aid of guarantees from other companies, and a sum of €30 million had to be deposited with the FIGC as guarantee money in order to register for 2003-04 season after the original guarantor SBC Spa came under investigation for falsifying documents. During the season, Franco Sensi reconstructed the structure of ownership and raised the capital. In November 2003 €37.5 million was injected by "Roma 2000" (the holding company, a subsidiary of Italpetroli, Sensi's flagship) to cover the half year loss and loss carried from previous 2002–03 season. and again on 30 June 2004 for €44.57 million. Through stock market, a further €19.850 million of new shares issued, and at the year end, the share capital was €19.878 million, which unchanged as of 2011.

In 2004-05 season Roma sold Emerson and Walter Samuel for €53 million and acquired Matteo Brighi, Simone Perrotta, Matteo Ferrari and Philippe Mexès as replacement for €30.45million. Highly-rated young striker Mido was signed as investment (but sent out in January after disappointing half-season). The club also delayed the tax payment in order to improve the cash flow. But further scandal exposed after Roma was investigated by judicial authorities for an irregularity on player transfer. The club originally hired Cesare Prandelli but resigned for family reason before the start of season, then appointed Rudi Völler, Luigi Delneri and Bruno Conti. Roma finished a worse league position of 8th in recent season but kept an entry to European competition by finished as runner-up.

In 2005-06 season a transfer ban further hit Roma. It was due to Mexès who signed in previous season as "free agent" was actually had a binding contract with his former club. The ban was temporarily lifted in August due to appeal process. That season Luciano Spalletti was hired and started the reconstruction of Roma. Roma only signed Rodrigo Taddei, Samuel Kuffour, Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos, Gianluca Comotto and Shabani Nonda as free agent and loaned Houssine Kharja and Cesare Bovo. After appeal, Roma had to pay €7M to Mexès's previous club. Troublesome Ivan Pelizzoli and Antonio Cassano were released for free in July and just €5M in January respectively. Coach Spalletti explored the ability of Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei on attack and Brazilian Doni on keeper role. The team finished 5th with limited resources.

A Serie A scandal was revealed during 2006 and Roma were one of the teams not involved; after punishments were handed out Roma was re-classified as runners-up for 2005–06; the same season in which they finished second in the Coppa Italia losing to Inter. The club started their campaign on transfer windows by signing David Pizarro (€12M), Mirko Vučinić (€19M), Marco Cassetti (€2.35M) and Max Tonetto (free).

In the Champions League of 2006–07 Roma reached the quarter-finals before going out to Manchester United, they also finished second in Serie A meaning that in the 2000s Roma have finished in the top two positions more than any other time in their history.

Since 2007-08 season, Roma prospect were turn to cash: Cristian Chivu was sold to Inter for €16M and replaced by Juan (€6.3M) and Marco Andreolli (€6M). Further more Mauro Esposito (€2.4M), Ludovic Giuly (€3.2M) and Cicinho (€9M + 2M bonus) were signed to reinforce the attack. In the next season, Mancini was sold to Inter for €13M, Giuly who had a disappointed performance to PSG for €2.5M, and signed Júlio Baptista (€9M), Jérémy Menez (€10.5M + 1.5M bonus) and John Arne Riise (€5M). Young keeper Gianluca Curci was exchanged with Simone Loria and Artur. But Roma once again slipped to 6th in the league by poor defense, in although signed Marco Motta in mid-season but Artur had to play as first choice due to Dani's injury.

In 2009-10 season, highly rated prospect Alberto Aquilani was sold to Liverpool for €20M but without major signing until to arrival of Nicolás Burdisso on loan. Doni the originally keeper was pull out from first choice and ex-backup Júlio Sérgio give surprising performance. The central pair Burdisso and Juan gave a further insurance for new coach Claudio Ranieri.