Rome Mayor Gualtieri Says Major Stadium Renovation Project Approaching

Roma return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years as they face Fenerbahçe at the Chobani Stadium in the competition's opening match. Vincenzo Montella, the Roma legend and current Turkey national team coach, will be in attendance for the fixture. Corbin Friedkin, a member of the ownership group, will also be present in the stands—a visible show of support from the Texas-based Friedkin Group for Gasperini's squad. The CEO Galantic underlined the ownership's close involvement with the team in comments made shortly before kickoff.

Roma chief executive Jhon Galantic spoke to journalists before kick-off in Istanbul as the club made their Champions League return after seven years, facing Fenerbahçe in the league phase. Galantic stressed the significance of the competition for the club and its supporters, particularly in Roma's centenary year. "It is fundamental to return to the Champions League after seven years, especially in the centenary year. For the club and for the fans this is a very important evening," he said. On the summer transfer market, Galantic explained Roma's strategy of balancing sporting and financial requirements while respecting UEFA parameters. He praised the players who remained at the club and accepted reduced salaries to stay. "We have to seek an equilibrium, as many clubs do, that allows us to field the most competitive squad possible while respecting UEFA parameters. It is not easy. I thank the ownership and the players who renewed their contracts and reduced their salaries to stay. We are very happy they remained. We have lowered the wage bill while also increasing the quality of the squad," he said. On the Friedkin Group's involvement and emotional investment in the project, Galantic revealed: "Many messages today and there will be more during the match. One of them is here this evening. They are excited and are inside this project. They are silent; they will have their own style but they are really, really very involved also on an emotional level."

The Friedkin ownership made sure not to miss Roma's opening Champions League fixture this evening against Fenerbahce in Turkey, with Corbin Friedkin, the younger brother of vice-president Ryan Friedkin, present in the stands. The attendance underscored the ownership's commitment to Gasperini's project. CEO Galantic said: "With the ownership there have been a lot of messages today and there will be more during the match. There is one of them here this evening, they are excited and they are inside this project. They are silent, they will have their own style but they are really very much involved also at an emotional level." Corbin had also been present at the Olimpico on 4 May for the 4–0 win over Fiorentina, an appearance Gasperini described at the time as "a signal for the future". The presence of the Texas-based ownership at tonight's match in Istanbul signals the continuity of their involvement in the club's European campaign and first-team affairs under the new head coach.