Livorno vs. AS Roma, preview: Everything new is new again

It's been just three seasons since Livorno were in Serie A, but you're forgiven if you've forgotten about 2009-2010. The amaranto collected just seven wins the last time around, ultimately finishing dead last. Are Livorno this season's Pescara? Well, they haven't lost their three best players and and their enthralling coach. Instead, they've done little to supplement their Serie B squad, and in Davide Nicola, they've got a man that's never managed in the top flight.

Livorno face a tough task in their opening match, but not an impossible one. AS Roma are embarking on yet another new era (if you can consider 6 months - 1 year an "era") and likely haven't found their feet just yet. This season, Rudi Garcia takes the helm, replacing caretaker coach Aurelio Andreazzoli, who replaced Zdenek Zeman, who replaced Luis Enrique, who replaced Vincenzo Montella. Do you think Roma supporters are looking wistfully at Fiorentina right about now?

With the constant changing of the man on the touchline, the squad shifts give the giallorossi little time to settle. This summer, Roma have made a couple interesting decisions. It was logical to let Marquinhos go, considering the absurd amount of money Paris Saint-Germain offered for a defender with one good season under his belt, but it didn't make quite so much sense to bring in Maicon. Letting go of Pablo Osvaldo also makes sense, but preparing to let Erik Lamela leave and only securing the services of Gervinho in return ... well, it appears, on the surface at least, insane.

But maybe not. Maybe Rudi has a plan. Or maybe it'll all be ok just because Francesco Totti still plays in a Roma kit.

Out: Mattia Destro (injured) In Doubt: Erik Lamela. Due to that whole on-his-way-to-London thing.