Marcello Lippi has handed Roma a huge boost by tipping them to wrestle the Serie A title off Inter Milan during the 2008/09 season.

Luciano Spalletti’s side have come close to landing the Scudetto in recent seasons, but have had to watch as the Nerazzuri have walked off with the crown in each of the last three campaigns. However, Italy coach Lippi feels it will be a different story this time round.

“This year is Roma’s year,” he told Corriere dello Sport. “I would put them on a par with Inter. Forget the 5-0 defeat in London (friendly defeat at Tottenham Hotspur), they will find themselves in time. They can achieve one of the two main objectives and they still have time to reinforce the squad.”

Spalletti has had a difficult time in the transfer market this summer, as his search to land a midfielder and a striker continues. However, if he can land his targets for these positions, then maybe he will start to believe that this could indeed be the year of the Giallorossi.