Fregene: from Sordi to Mondaini, the timeless charm that still captivates

Former Roma defender Vincent Candela has said that a return of Francesco Totti to the club's management would make Roma even stronger, and that Gian Piero Gasperini can bring the Scudetto back to Trigoria. Speaking to La Repubblica, Candela said: "Ormai io e Francesco siamo anche compagni di penna. Spero di rivederlo presto nel club, che quest'anno lotterà per lo scudetto fino alla fine. Con Totti, sono sicuro che la Roma diventerebbe ancora più forte." Candela refused to accept that Roma should settle for second place. He praised Gasperini as a "special" coach and said he was convinced the manager could deliver the title, but he stressed that the race would go to the end against Inter, whom he described as a stronger and better-balanced side than Roma. Asked whether he would play for Roma again if he could, Candela said: "Giocare nella Roma di Gasperini sarebbe un sogno. Sono convinto che farei il titolare." On Roma's recurring problem of late collapses, especially in Europe, he said: "Come dice il tecnico, è importante allargare la rosa, ma è fisiologico perdere contro Real Madrid e Manchester United. La Roma non è ancora pronta per fronteggiare alla pari le grandi del calcio europeo." Finally, asked which player brings back his memories of playing, Candela pointed to Paulo Dybala: "Ogni volta che Dybala tocca il pallone mi batte il cuore e ringiovanisco. Paulo andrebbe proclamato patrimonio mondiale del calcio."

No transfer meeting has yet taken place between the ownership, sporting director Tony D'Amico and head coach Gasperini, and there is only a whisper that next week could be the right moment, with no confirmation. Il Corriere della Sera's Davide Stoppini reports that Gasperini has had no direct contact with Dan Friedkin since last April, during the chaos surrounding Ranieri, not even an exchange after the Champions League qualification. Contact with Ryan Friedkin since May has changed little. Corbin Friedkin, the youngest brother, was recently seen at the Olimpico for the match against Real Madrid. In late July the club appointed CEO John Galantic, who in practice acts as a filter but does not have wide operational authority. For all deals above 2 million euros, which is practically all of them, he needs the approval of the Friedkins. The article describes this as a paradox: the club has moved further away from Gasperini than last year, when a degree of relationship between the coach and Ryan Friedkin had formed, as seen last January. Doubts may understandably arise among those involved, and nobody knows exactly how to proceed. Roma's transfer department has not stood still and has opened talks on several fronts, but these are exploratory contacts. Logic suggests that if the ownership gave the go-ahead at the end of August for an investment, Leweling or Luiz Henrique, it will make the same decision for January. However, these remain assumptions, and even inside Trigoria only hypotheses are being discussed. January is not a straightforward month.

AS Roma have announced the death of Luciano Tessari, a former club goalkeeper who served as assistant to Nils Liedholm in the 1982/83 Scudetto-winning season. Tessari had turned 98 on 29 September. The club paid tribute with a set of historic photographs. The club's statement described him as a historic Roma goalkeeper who also coached the first team and the youth sector, and as Liedholm's deputy in the season the club won the Scudetto in 1982/83. "Tessari is a piece of our history, a man who left his mark on the Roma family," the message read. The club extended its affection to his family and loved ones in their grief. The death is a loss for the club's history, linking the current generation to the side that delivered Roma's second league title under Liedholm. Tessari's roles across goalkeeping, first-team coaching and the youth sector reflect the long service many former players have given to the club.