Pjanić backs Roma for title push: 'If they maintain this rhythm, no one will stop them'

The Friedkin Group has committed €1 billion in investment to Roma's long-term project, centred on a new stadium at Pietralata with a €1.3 billion price tag designed to transform the club's finances and competitiveness. John Galantic, appointed to oversee the expansion, outlined a three-pillar strategy: renovating the youth academy under academy directors D'Amico and Margiotta, establishing an Under-23 team to bridge Primavera and the first squad, and leveraging Roma's partnership with Cannes to identify emerging talent. The club aims to place new academy graduates into the first team annually to create a sustainable model without reliance on pure transfer profits, with academy graduates Emanuele Lulli and Niccolò Pisilli cited as examples of the approach already bearing fruit. The new stadium forms the centrepiece of this expansion. Roma targets laying the foundation stone by March 2027 and projects that the first season of operation will generate a 245% increase in revenue compared to 2025, exclusive of new sponsorship deals. Galantic explained the strategic vision: "We have three projects: renovate the youth academy, thanks to people like D'Amico and Margiotta. Then the next growth phase between Primavera and the first team: we need the Under-23. And finally synergies with the Cannes squad, which is in the richest talent market. Every year we want to place new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." On the stadium itself, Galantic stated: "In four years the stadium will change everything—it increases revenue and lets us make a very important sporting and economic leap. It's a stadium designed for fans. The Olimpico is beautiful and full of memories but it's not made for football. We've studied various elements and they're enthralling. Imagine the South Curve more united—it will be something special. The Friedkin family has done all this quietly, with facts and investment. Sometimes silence is golden and it works. For Italy, a €1.3 billion investment is a signal to pursue similar projects."

John Galantic, AS Roma's chief executive, unveiled the Friedkin Group's long-term strategy for the club at the Trentino Sport Festival, centring on economic sustainability, youth development and a new stadium project worth approximately €1.3 billion. Galantic, who has held senior roles at Ferrari and Tod's before joining Roma, described his move to the club as a passion project rooted in the ownership's genuine ambition: "This is not a career choice, I've made my career. This is passion but that's not enough. There has to be the conviction that you can win something. I had that conviction from the ownership, the commitment and the resources to do something great." The stadium project at Pietralata represents the centrepiece of Roma's transformation. Galantic indicated the first stone will be laid in spring 2027, and stressed its critical importance: "In four years the stadium will change everything, it raises revenue and allows us to make a very important sporting and economic leap." He emphasised the design philosophy: "The Olimpico is beautiful and full of memories but it's not made for football. Imagine the Curva Sud more united, it will be massive." This marks the fourth attempt by Roma to build a new ground, but Galantic stressed it is "the first time we've reached this level of authorisation approval." Beyond infrastructure, Galantic outlined three precise pillars for sustainable growth: revitalising the youth academy, establishing an Under-23 team as a bridge between the Primavera and first team, and developing partnerships with Cannes. The goal is to progressively increase home-grown players: "You cannot live off transfer profits. Every year we want to put new players developed in-house to grow and have a sustainable model." On the Friedkin family's low-profile approach, Galantic noted: "They impressed me with their enthusiasm in this project. They are reserved and asked me to speak. For matches they are always inside and you don't make these investments if you don't believe in it. Sometimes silence is golden and it works."

Gian Piero Gasperini has reflected on his time at Roma following an appearance at the Trento Sports Festival organised by La Gazzetta dello Sport. Speaking after a series of questions about the last season, the head coach identified the final league match against Verona as the occasion that moved him most since arriving at the club. "I'd say the last league match against Verona," he explained, "because there was a sense of having reached an important milestone and with great satisfaction from the fans." When asked about his most difficult match, Gasperini pointed to Roma's trip to Inter Milan last season as the moment when the team's form dipped most sharply, though he suggested the most recent fixture represented a different level of challenge altogether. His greatest surprise, however, has come from Donyell Malen's goal tally. "Malen surprised me, certainly the number of goals he scored was something no one could have imagined," Gasperini said. "For the rest there have been lots of very positive surprises." The coach also fielded a lighthearted question about a player he would have liked to manage but never had the opportunity. When asked about Lionel Messi, Gasperini laughed rather than answer directly.