Gasperini and the Curva Sud: love story blooms after maiden season at Roma

Gian Piero Gasperini met with AS Roma's business partners on 23 September, offering reflections on the club's direction and his approach to the role. Speaking about Roma's recent fixture against Inter, he said: "It was a spectacle. Thanks also to the new rules that now prevent time-wasting and favour entertainment, we are working well and I am very satisfied." Addressing the assembled sponsors and entrepreneurs, Gasperini emphasised the parallel between business success and football: "To make excellent investments you must have excellent ideas—that is the foundation for creating a business. Thank you also for the confidence you give to Roma, which gives us an extra responsibility." He highlighted Roma as a demanding environment where hard work and commitment are valued by those invested in the club. Gasperini revealed personal touches during the evening: he loves amatriciana, and on 5 October his wine house will unveil a new vintage called Freisa 3-4-3. "I chose this name because the 3-4-3 has been my fortune," he explained, "and I hope it brings good fortune too. With that formation I built almost all my successes."

Francesco Totti has revealed that AS Roma attempted to persuade him to present the number 10 shirt to Paulo Dybala during his official unveiling in 2022. The club sent Totti an indirect message asking him to hand over the iconic number, but he declined. Totti's response was direct: "But you are all mad." Totti explained that the number 10 carries profound historical weight at Roma and cannot simply be assigned to a player without them first establishing a meaningful journey at the club. The retired captain acknowledged Dybala's quality as both a footballer and a person, but emphasised the significance of continuity and the bond built with the club over time. He stressed that the number 10 of Roma carries weight and would inevitably invite comparisons with himself. Totti told the club: "If you have the courage, give it to him yourselves. Nothing against the player — quite the opposite, I like him very much, and he is a very good lad. If you have this intention, go ahead, without putting me in the middle. The 10 of Roma weighs heavily, and it would bring inevitable comparisons with me. Dybala, if he is fit, can make the difference for you."

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at a Roma commercial partners event held at Relais Appia Antica, addressing the club's atmosphere, the pressures of the city, and his broader philosophy on football and business. The head coach, whose side currently tops the league standings, discussed what it takes to succeed at a demanding Roman club. "I knew that tactically it is very demanding and difficult," Gasperini said. "But what counts in football beyond results is the demonstration of knowing how to work seriously. And that is always appreciated." Gasperini also reflected on Roma's recent fixture against Inter, praising the spectacle it produced under football's new regulations that minimise time-wasting. "It was a show. Also thanks to the new rules that now allow us to have no time losses and privilege spectacle, we are working well and I am very happy," he said. In his address to the club's commercial partners, he stressed the importance of sound ideas in business: "To make excellent investments you must have excellent ideas, it is the foundation for creating a business, and thanks to you also for the confidence you give to Roma and which also gives us extra responsibility." Gasperini revealed personal detail about a wine from his Cantina Gilli in the Astigiano region, releasing on 5 October. Named "Freisa 3-4-3" after the 3-4-3 formation that has underpinned his tactical success, he explained: "I chose this name because 3-4-3 has been my fortune and so I hope it is a good omen, with that system I have built almost all my successes."