Rocca clears Roma stadium project at Pietralata after Pertini hospital row

Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at Sky Sport's schedule presentation, where he crossed paths with Fabio Capello, Roma's last Serie A title-winning manager. The encounter sparked an exchange between the two, with Capello remarking on Roma's coaching lineage: "After twenty years the story repeats itself: Liedholm, Capello, Gasperini." Gasperini responded by asking if Capello still carried Roma in his heart, affirming the club's enduring pull. Gasperini outlined his ambitions for the season ahead. "After reaching the Champions League, we want to be protagonists once again," he said. The coach acknowledged the influence of the World Cup in drawing attention from players and agents, but stressed that serious transfer activity would intensify once pre-season training began. He confirmed ongoing dialogue with the club's sporting director D'Amico and ownership regarding squad development. On contract renewals for Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Zeki Çelik, Gasperini stated: "The club will handle the official announcements, but we are all happy, including the players—it is a matter of days." Reflecting on last season's podium finish, he noted a strong start and consistent proximity to Champions League places, with only a minor dip in February and March before a strong final stretch. He stressed the squad's solid foundation and competitive group, with the goal of improving further to deliver success for Roma and its supporters.

Massimo Margiotta has been appointed Roma's new youth sector director, replacing Bruno Conti in a move spearheaded by sporting director Tony D'Amico. Margiotta arrives from Hellas Verona, where he spent nine years leading their youth setup. His tenure in Verona saw the Primavera side secure promotion to the top youth category at the end of the 2020/21 season and achieve five consecutive consecutive salvations thereafter. The appointment marks a strategic reset for Roma's youth academy following a lean trophy-winning season. Margiotta's mandate extends beyond stabilising the existing youth categories to laying groundwork for an Under 23 side, a long-standing priority for the Friedkin Group ownership. His predecessor Conti's departure was emotional and high-profile, given his status as a club legend. Verona confirmed Margiotta's exit via an official statement, releasing him by mutual agreement after his nine-year spell began in summer 2017. The club noted his role in growing and developing numerous young footballers during his tenure. Margiotta is expected at Trigoria imminently to complete his contract signing.

Rome's civil court has ordered one of the illegal occupants of the Pietralata site to pay the city council nearly €314,000 in damages, marking a decisive legal victory in the dispute over the land designated for AS Roma's new stadium. The judgment awards Roma Capitale €219,500 in damages plus over €21,000 in legal costs. The court found that the defendant and other residents who had occupied the public land held no legitimate claim to it and ruled that Rome deserves compensation for the unlawful occupation. The three family units occupying the area had attempted a usucapion claim—a legal bid to secure ownership through long-term possession—to block construction of the new stadium. That challenge failed, leading to a forced eviction in August 2024 and subsequent protests from anti-stadium committees. The court's decision leaves no room for interpretation, certifying the occupants had zero legal entitlement to the land. The damages calculation was based on market rental values of €11,000 annually, multiplied across 26 and a half years of unlawful occupation from 1997 to 2024. The court stated: "acclarato che l'unico titolo di godimento vantato in giudizio dalla parte attrice in effetti non sussistesse, va da sé che debba riconoscersi, in favore di Roma Capitale, un credito risarcitorio per l'occupazione dei cespiti per via dell'occupazione perpetrata senza titolo." The occupants had attempted to withdraw their case before judgment but Rome refused, determined to enforce its legal rights.