Totti Recounts Vito Scala Anecdotes at Book Launch

Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the presentation of Francesco Totti's book "Oltre" by video call and received a thunderous ovation from the crowd. The Roma head coach thanked Totti for giving the club the chance to relive the magical nights that Roma deserve to play in, adding: "Rome deserves that stage, and thanks to you we have got back there." Gasperini then turned to the evening itself: "Last night the most beautiful show was the stadium. It was a good match, but seeing so much enthusiasm in this city was something moving. I'm sorry I can't take part directly tonight, but I wanted to take part in some way." Totti joked: "He asked if he could step in, or not?" Gasperini replied: "Me? There was no need." Totti then sent him a pointed message: "Otherwise tomorrow we won't see you at the Roma match." Gasperini returned the greeting, saying the gesture was "a sign of great esteem for the exchanges and for this evening, and do keep in mind, we'll see each other tomorrow night." Totti confirmed he would be there: "Alright, if I find the tickets I'll come," referring to Roma's match against Slovan Bratislava. Asked about Roma's Scudetto hopes, and met by a loud "no" from the crowd, the Giallorossi legend said: "Let's think about tomorrow." Gasperini then added: "We'll still have the dinner again anyway," and Totti answered: "Absolutely, whenever you like. Tonight read the book, mister, you've got nothing else to do."

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini joined the launch of Francesco Totti's book by video call at the Teatro Brancaccio, drawing an ovation and laughter from the audience in the hall. The exchange between the two has been widely shared, and it came before Totti made a promise of his own. The book presentation is the launch of Totti's book 'Oltre'. Totti has since spoken about his relationship with the club and the Friedkin family, using the event to reaffirm his bond with Roma. Roma's supporters have reacted warmly to the moment, which underlined the affection that still surrounds the club's former captain. The headlines circulating after the event highlighted a joke from Gasperini, who asked whether he could take part in the presentation. Totti also told the audience: "Per la Roma ci sto sempre", meaning he is always available for Roma. Roma's coach and the club's greatest modern icon were therefore both present at the same event, with the book launch providing a rare public moment between them.

Francesco Totti has presented his book "Oltre" at the Teatro Brancaccio in Rome, where he spoke about his choices, wounds, rebirths and love, and about the most difficult moments of his career. Speaking to an audience of more than 1,600 people, he described his farewell to Roma as a forced one. The event was attended by his partner Noemi Bocchi, Arianna Mihajlović, widow of Sinisa, and former Roma player Vincent Candela. On stage, Totti explained how difficult it had been to put his story down on paper. "The public and the fans are the most important part. I have always let my football do the talking, I am a man of few words, but this time they backed me into a corner: they forced me to write this book. I was hesitant. After 50 years I have to write another one, maybe when I am 60. It has been ten intense years, which went beyond the pitch. I still have to read this book myself." He then turned to his departure from Roma, the most powerful part of the evening. "The 28th of May was like dying, in some ways. A forced goodbye, which I did not want. It was painful, but it is part of football: when you are needed, you are needed; when you are not needed, you no longer are. I reluctantly accepted the decision of that management. I was afraid of turning the page, I did not know what I would find. I felt lost. What am I afraid of? Of death. I hope to continue with the desire and passion I have inside." Love is a word that recurs throughout the book. "It is a strong word. In these 50 years I have given and received so much love: from my family, from my children, from the people. It has been a simple, transparent give and take. I have done the work I always wanted to do: for me, this is true love. It is not easy to turn what you feel into words, but in that moment I was sure of myself. I hope I have managed to put this love into the book." Totti also spoke about a dinner with Gian Piero Gasperini. "That evening at dinner, Gasperini gave me an enormous awareness. The love he feels for this city and for Roma got inside me. A coach who comes from outside and has this idea, this desire to turn everything upside down, gratifies me. The higher he takes Roma, the happier we are. At this moment he is the right person: tough, demanding, someone who commands respect. In an environment like this, that is fundamental." On a possible return to the club, Totti said: "They have other ideas about life and work, and that is right. I accept it willingly. Things are done together, otherwise they are not done: if the other side does not share the same thinking, there is no point in going further. I am happy with what they are doing even without me. I am behind the scenes, but I am always there for Roma." Gasperini sent his own message: "The other evening, against Real and Genoa, the most beautiful spectacle was the stadium. Seeing so much enthusiasm in this city was something exciting."