While the early years of the 1970s had been disappointing for AS Roma with mid-table finishes the norm, fortunes would improve sharply during the 1974-75 season. With a strong defense and the goal-scoring exploits of the former international forward Pierino Prati, Roma finished the season in an encouraging third place in the Serie A table, four points behind champions Juventus. The return of former youth player Giancarlo De Sisti after nine seasons in Florence was a catalyst for the upturn in form, and the ex-international was an influential figure in the giallorossi midfield. Prati was enjoying his best season since his Milan days in the late 1960s; he scored 14 Serie A goals and 22 in all competitions.