Galantic on Friedkin's commitment, youth development and stadium plans: 'In four years it will change everything'

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has disclosed the key to Paulo Dybala's strong early season, attributing the turnaround to the resolution of a previously undiagnosed fitness issue. Speaking at the Festival Dello Sport, Gasperini explained that Dybala's muscles had held him back in earlier years, a problem the coach initially suspected was rooted in training methods. Gasperini discovered that Dybala has a unique fiber structure requiring specifically tailored training to optimise his fitness. The adjustment has proven transformative, allowing the 32-year-old to return to full capability. "Everyone told me he had silky muscles, but I discovered he has a unique fiber structure, and with the right training, he's proven to be a healthy and capable player. Proof of what I always say: training is crucial. And now he's back to sprinting, beating opponents, and soon we'll see him back to shooting from outside like in the old days," Gasperini said. Dybala has recorded four assists in Serie A this season, marking his strongest statistical start to a campaign in his career. His partnership with teammate Donyell Malen has been particularly effective, with Malen's ability to run in behind the defence complementing Dybala's playmaking well. Roma have made a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign, and Dybala's form will be crucial to their chances of challenging for the title.

John Galantic, speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, outlined Roma's long-term vision under owner Dan Friedkin, emphasising the owner's complete commitment to the project despite his typically reserved public profile. Galantic, who moved to Roma from a chief executive role at a luxury company in Milan after years of discussions with the Friedkins, described the decision as one driven by passion and conviction rather than career advancement. He underscored the importance of sustainable growth, explaining that the club cannot rely on profit from player sales alone. "We must grow more talent in-house like Lulli and Pisilli," he said, referencing academy prospects. Roma's strategy involves three pillars: renovating the youth system with staff including D'Amico and Margiotta; developing the pathway between the Primavera and first team through the Under-23 side; and strengthening the partnership with the club's squad in Cannes, which operates in a talent-rich market. "Every year we want to add new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." Galantic stressed that Friedkin's investment strategy is backed by genuine belief rather than casual involvement. "They are always inside for the matches and you don't make these investments if you don't believe in them," he said. He highlighted the planned stadium redevelopment as transformational: "In four years the stadium will change everything, raising revenue and allowing us a very important sporting and economic leap." When asked whether Roma would sign a left-winger for Gasperini without selling anyone in January, Galantic remained cautious: "We are always vigilant, we see if there are opportunities. We want to grow this squad."

Roma CEO John Galantic spoke at the Festival dello Sport in Trento alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, reflecting on his arrival at the club and the ownership's approach to the project. Galantic described his start at Roma as a "baptism of fire", beginning on the first day of the pre-season camp in Wales. "We don't wait for others and we go and take the ball," he said of the club's recruitment strategy during the summer window. He praised the Friedkin family's commitment, noting their reserve in public matters. "They are always present for the matches and you don't make these investments if you don't believe in it," Galantic said. "For a Roman it is difficult to understand the idea of staying silent, but Dan Friedkin created an empire with several sectors. I was surprised to see that the more time passes and you don't find interviews even on other subjects... that's how it is. They are reserved and asked me to speak." Galantic highlighted Francesco Totti as his favourite poet as a Roma fan, recalling "the volley pass with his back to goal that only he can see—it's inexplicable." He also cited the derby moment when Cafu performed a triple nutmeg on Nedved, and Matías Soulé's goal against Atalanta. On that Soulé strike, Galantic said: "When I saw the goal of Soulé I lost my head and didn't understand anything anymore... that's the beauty of sport." Before the Roma-Atalanta match, he explained, he had been warned that he could no longer behave as a fan. He came to Roma from a luxury sector CEO role in Milan after years of discussions with the Friedkins, describing the move as driven by passion and conviction rather than career advancement. "This is not a career choice—I've already made my career. This is passion, but passion alone is not enough. There had to be conviction from ownership and the resources to do something great," he said.

John Galantic, speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, outlined Roma's long-term vision under owner Dan Friedkin, emphasising the owner's complete commitment to the project despite his typically reserved public profile. Galantic, who moved to Roma from a chief executive role at a luxury company in Milan after years of discussions with the Friedkins, described the decision as one driven by passion and conviction rather than career advancement. He underscored the importance of sustainable growth, explaining that the club cannot rely on profit from player sales alone. "We must grow more talent in-house like Lulli and Pisilli," he said, referencing academy prospects. Roma's strategy involves three pillars: renovating the youth system with staff including D'Amico and Margiotta; developing the pathway between the Primavera and first team through the Under-23 side; and strengthening the partnership with the club's squad in Cannes, which operates in a talent-rich market. "Every year we want to add new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." Galantic stressed that Friedkin's investment strategy is backed by genuine belief rather than casual involvement. "They are always inside for the matches and you don't make these investments if you don't believe in them," he said. He highlighted the planned stadium redevelopment as transformational: "In four years the stadium will change everything, raising revenue and allowing us a very important sporting and economic leap." When asked whether Roma would sign a left-winger for Gasperini without selling anyone in January, Galantic remained cautious: "We are always vigilant, we see if there are opportunities. We want to grow this squad."

Roma CEO John Galantic spoke at the Trento Sports Festival, where he is appearing alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Galantic described his appointment as a baptism of fire in the summer transfer window and praised the club's recruitment, noting Roma's return to the Champions League after finishing third in Serie A last season. Galantic explained the Friedkin Group's approach to running the club, saying they are reserved and chose not to give interviews themselves. "They have surprised me for their enthusiasm in this project," he said. "For a Roman it is difficult to understand the idea of staying silent but Dan Friedkin created an empire with several sectors. The more time passes and you don't find interviews even on other subjects... that's how it is. They are reserved and asked me to speak. For the matches they are always inside and you don't make these investments if you don't believe in it." Galantic, who previously worked as CEO of a luxury company in Milan, called his move to Roma a decision driven by passion rather than career advancement, explaining he needed conviction from the ownership that the club could win something significant. On long-term planning, Galantic outlined Roma's strategy for sustainability: "You cannot live on capital gains; you must grow more talent in-house like Lulli and Pisilli. We have three projects: renovating the youth academy, we have people like D'Amico and Margiotta. Then another growth stage between the Primavera and the first team. The Under-23 is what we need. Then synergies with the team in Cannes, which is in the richest talent market. Every year we want to put new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." He added that a new stadium will transform the club's economics within four years, enabling a significant sporting and economic leap. On potential January transfers, he said the club remains vigilant and will pursue opportunities if they arise to grow the squad. Galantic also expressed confidence in Roma's centenary celebration as a moment to honour the club's legends while building toward the future during a phase of strong growth.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Roma's early-season progress at the Festival dello Sport in Trento on 2 October, praising Paulo Dybala's physical transformation while confirming Bryan Cristante will miss matches after the international break due to a knee problem. Gasperini outlined his tactical philosophy from his first training session, saying his immediate aim was to build something new at Roma. "My only objective was to create something new. It's like when you do a new construction: you must immediately lay new and different foundations," he said. He emphasised his defensive principles: "The first concept was to recover the ball from the opponent and not wait for him to make a mistake. That's where the rest started from." On his defence, Gasperini highlighted Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and Evan N'Dicka as key figures, noting that Hermoso brought experience from his time at Atlético Madrid alongside Spanish technical quality, while Mancini had undergone a personal shift. "I told him straight away: 'Look, this attitude is penalising you — for many years you didn't go to the national team because of these behaviours.' It's the first thing I worked on. He had a fantastic season, people have started talking about Mancini as a player again, and he's back in the national team." On Cristante, Gasperini revealed his long knowledge of the midfielder: "I knew him as a young player. Very often in players you don't look at the 'control room' — personality, the way of playing for the squad and putting teammates' needs first. It's something I've always considered." Regarding his current injury: "He had a knee problem, but playing many matches, if you're out for two weeks you risk missing 5 matches. He'll miss the first matches but will recover quickly." Dybala has drawn particular praise for his physical robustness this season. Gasperini explained: "He started the way it hasn't happened for years. He's had years of physical fragility — I thought it was a training matter. Many told me he has silk muscles, that I had to preserve him, and he'd continuously get injured. He has considerable fibre; some injuries were random. This season's start is extraordinary physically. He doesn't miss a single training session or match minute. It's proof of what I've always believed: through training you can improve endurance and performance." On young academy products Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli, Gasperini stressed his faith in developing youth: "I grew up in the youth sector and started coaching under-10s, so I've always maintained that approach. Training in youth football helps you see the boy not as something definitive but as something you imagine could evolve." Gasperini also addressed the departure of another academy prospect, Romano, citing financial pressure: "The fact that Romano was sold is represented by profit and balance-sheet needs. This isn't good for our football — the best jewels must have the chance to grow, but if there are needs they become the first to be cut."

John Galantic, speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, outlined Roma's long-term vision under owner Dan Friedkin, emphasising the owner's complete commitment to the project despite his typically reserved public profile. Galantic, who moved to Roma from a chief executive role at a luxury company in Milan after years of discussions with the Friedkins, described the decision as one driven by passion and conviction rather than career advancement. He underscored the importance of sustainable growth, explaining that the club cannot rely on profit from player sales alone. "We must grow more talent in-house like Lulli and Pisilli," he said, referencing academy prospects. Roma's strategy involves three pillars: renovating the youth system with staff including D'Amico and Margiotta; developing the pathway between the Primavera and first team through the Under-23 side; and strengthening the partnership with the club's squad in Cannes, which operates in a talent-rich market. "Every year we want to add new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." Galantic stressed that Friedkin's investment strategy is backed by genuine belief rather than casual involvement. "They are always inside for the matches and you don't make these investments if you don't believe in them," he said. He highlighted the planned stadium redevelopment as transformational: "In four years the stadium will change everything, raising revenue and allowing us a very important sporting and economic leap." When asked whether Roma would sign a left-winger for Gasperini without selling anyone in January, Galantic remained cautious: "We are always vigilant, we see if there are opportunities. We want to grow this squad."

Roma CEO John Galantic spoke at the Trento Sports Festival, where he is appearing alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Galantic described his appointment as a baptism of fire in the summer transfer window and praised the club's recruitment, noting Roma's return to the Champions League after finishing third in Serie A last season. Galantic explained the Friedkin Group's approach to running the club, saying they are reserved and chose not to give interviews themselves. "They have surprised me for their enthusiasm in this project," he said. "For a Roman it is difficult to understand the idea of staying silent but Dan Friedkin created an empire with several sectors. The more time passes and you don't find interviews even on other subjects... that's how it is. They are reserved and asked me to speak. For the matches they are always inside and you don't make these investments if you don't believe in it." Galantic, who previously worked as CEO of a luxury company in Milan, called his move to Roma a decision driven by passion rather than career advancement, explaining he needed conviction from the ownership that the club could win something significant. On long-term planning, Galantic outlined Roma's strategy for sustainability: "You cannot live on capital gains; you must grow more talent in-house like Lulli and Pisilli. We have three projects: renovating the youth academy, we have people like D'Amico and Margiotta. Then another growth stage between the Primavera and the first team. The Under-23 is what we need. Then synergies with the team in Cannes, which is in the richest talent market. Every year we want to put new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." He added that a new stadium will transform the club's economics within four years, enabling a significant sporting and economic leap. On potential January transfers, he said the club remains vigilant and will pursue opportunities if they arise to grow the squad. Galantic also expressed confidence in Roma's centenary celebration as a moment to honour the club's legends while building toward the future during a phase of strong growth.

Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini addressed Roma's early-season progress at the Festival dello Sport in Trento on 2 October, praising Paulo Dybala's physical transformation while confirming Bryan Cristante will miss matches after the international break due to a knee problem. Gasperini outlined his tactical philosophy from his first training session, saying his immediate aim was to build something new at Roma. "My only objective was to create something new. It's like when you do a new construction: you must immediately lay new and different foundations," he said. He emphasised his defensive principles: "The first concept was to recover the ball from the opponent and not wait for him to make a mistake. That's where the rest started from." On his defence, Gasperini highlighted Mario Hermoso, Gianluca Mancini, Mile Svilar and Evan N'Dicka as key figures, noting that Hermoso brought experience from his time at Atlético Madrid alongside Spanish technical quality, while Mancini had undergone a personal shift. "I told him straight away: 'Look, this attitude is penalising you — for many years you didn't go to the national team because of these behaviours.' It's the first thing I worked on. He had a fantastic season, people have started talking about Mancini as a player again, and he's back in the national team." On Cristante, Gasperini revealed his long knowledge of the midfielder: "I knew him as a young player. Very often in players you don't look at the 'control room' — personality, the way of playing for the squad and putting teammates' needs first. It's something I've always considered." Regarding his current injury: "He had a knee problem, but playing many matches, if you're out for two weeks you risk missing 5 matches. He'll miss the first matches but will recover quickly." Dybala has drawn particular praise for his physical robustness this season. Gasperini explained: "He started the way it hasn't happened for years. He's had years of physical fragility — I thought it was a training matter. Many told me he has silk muscles, that I had to preserve him, and he'd continuously get injured. He has considerable fibre; some injuries were random. This season's start is extraordinary physically. He doesn't miss a single training session or match minute. It's proof of what I've always believed: through training you can improve endurance and performance." On young academy products Niccolò Pisilli and Emanuele Lulli, Gasperini stressed his faith in developing youth: "I grew up in the youth sector and started coaching under-10s, so I've always maintained that approach. Training in youth football helps you see the boy not as something definitive but as something you imagine could evolve." Gasperini also addressed the departure of another academy prospect, Romano, citing financial pressure: "The fact that Romano was sold is represented by profit and balance-sheet needs. This isn't good for our football — the best jewels must have the chance to grow, but if there are needs they become the first to be cut."