Gasperini to address media ahead of Lecce trip

Gian Piero Gasperini will hold his pre-match press conference on Sunday at 13.30 ahead of Roma's second Serie A fixture of the season at Lecce on Monday at 20.45. The appointment comes after Roma's convincing opening victory against Fiorentina. Gasperini faces few selection dilemmas for the trip to Puglia. Devyne Rensch remains unavailable, though Nahuel Molina is set to return and will compete with Lulli for a place in the side. In midfield, Rodrigo Mora holds the advantage over Matías Soulé to play in the trequarti role behind Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala.

John Galantic, Roma's new chief executive, spoke publicly for the first time since the Champions League league-phase draw on 27 August, expressing confidence that the club can compete at Europe's highest level. Addressing the media after the draw, Galantic commented on Roma's opponents and gave an update on the final days of the summer transfer window under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Galantic described his first month in the role as intense, encompassing both the transfer market and pre-season preparations. He confirmed that Gasperini—a perfectionist by nature—continues to demand more from the squad despite praising the players who have already arrived. Roma made a strong start to their Serie A campaign and now face a demanding European fixture list. Galantic stressed the club's ambition: "The Roma must always be in the Champions League," he said, and indicated the club remains alert to late opportunities in the market. "Winners are always demanding and that is better," Galantic stated. "We are vigilant in these final days of the transfer market and we will see if there are opportunities. Gasperini has also said he is happy with the players who arrived and that we are stronger than last year." Galantic, a Roma supporter since childhood, expressed his honour at the role and thanked the fans, squad, Gasperini and the entire staff for the club's Champions League qualification. On the challenge ahead, he acknowledged that all opponents are formidable but singled out fixtures against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as particularly compelling encounters. "Great emotion," he said of his first weeks. "It is a baptism of fire, between the transfer market and pre-season, but it is good to understand the sporting reality well, because that is where value is created."

John Galantic, Roma's new CEO, spoke to Sky Sport following the Champions League league-phase draw on 27 August 2026. "Great emotion, all the teams are difficult to face," he said. "I have been a huge Roma fan since I was small, for me this is more than a job: it is passion. First month has been complicated with the transfer market and pre-season, but it is good to understand the sporting side well because that is where value is created." On head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Galantic emphasised the club's competitive standing. "Winners are always demanding, that is better. We are vigilant on market opportunities but Gasperini has also said he is happy with the squad he has. We are stronger than last year. I want to thank the fans, the squad and Gasperini—Roma must always be in the Champions League." Galantic's remarks came as Roma were drawn into the Champions League league phase for the 2026-27 season, having finished third in Serie A in 2025-26.