AS Roma returns to Europe's elite competition after an eight-year absence, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is making no secret of his ambitions: sustain the club's place among the continent's best, then aim higher. With star forward Paulo Dybala now locked in through 2027 and the Friedkin family preparing to accelerate summer signings, the capital club is banking on momentum from last season's third-place Serie A finish to make the 2026-2027 campaign a defining one.
Why This Matters
• Champions League football returns to Rome for the first time since 2018-2019, opening lucrative revenue streams and attracting top-tier talent.
• Dybala accepted a pay cut from €6.5M to roughly €2.5M net (plus bonuses) to remain with the project, signaling commitment at a crucial juncture.
• The Friedkin ownership has injected approximately €1B into the club and is now targeting reinforcements in the transfer market to capitalize on the centenary year.
• A decisive stadium conference convenes July 27, potentially unlocking the Pietralata venue in time for Italy's Euro 2032 co-hosting bid.
Gasperini's Pragmatic Road Map
Gian Piero Gasperini, who arrived at Trigoria in June 2025 on a contract running through 2028, gathered 28 players for the first training session of the new campaign. The veteran tactician is refreshingly candid about the hierarchy: Inter remains the Serie A favorite, he acknowledged, while Roma must first prove it can hold a Champions League spot before dreaming of silverware.
"If we manage to stay up there year after year, then we can think about the scudetto," Gasperini told assembled media. "For now, the objective is to consolidate our place in the Champions League and go as deep as possible in the competition."
That measured tone belies the electric atmosphere inside the club's training complex. Season-ticket sales have surged, Dybala's renewal has galvanized supporters, and the prospect of midweek fixtures under the floodlights against Europe's giants has rekindled enthusiasm not seen in the capital in recent years.
The Dybala Equation
Few moves carry as much symbolic weight as Paulo Dybala's decision to extend his stay. The 32-year-old Argentine forward turned down a €25M-per-season offer from Saudi club Al-Qadsiah and agreed to slash his Roma wages by more than half, settling on a base salary of approximately €2.5M net with performance bonuses that could lift the package toward €4M.
"Being able to defend the Roma shirt is a privilege for me," Dybala said after inking the new deal, which runs until June 30, 2027. Since joining in summer 2022, he has been the club's talisman, serving as both match-winner and commercial anchor for a club eager to reclaim its place among Italy's top three.
The renewal removes a cloud of uncertainty that had hung over pre-season planning. With Dybala committed, sporting director Tony D'Amico and Gasperini can now sculpt the roster around a proven performer rather than scrambling for a replacement.
Transfer Market Acceleration
Gasperini made clear that last season's squad, while good enough to finish third, requires reinforcement to compete on multiple fronts. The Friedkin family—led operationally by vice-president Ryan Friedkin—is expected at Trigoria in the coming days to green-light a series of strategic moves.
Gasperini expects "important acceleration" to "make a good market," according to reports. The club has identified priority areas but specific signings remain under negotiation. The compressed calendar leaves little room for hesitation, with the new Serie A season approaching rapidly.
Training Camp Intensity
Gasperini has already set a demanding rhythm. The squad will sleep at Trigoria tonight and tomorrow, with double sessions scheduled. A pre-season tour is planned before the squad reconvenes in the capital.
Several players remain on extended leave or international duty. The compressed calendar leaves little margin for error. Gasperini emphasized that the presence of the Friedkin family at Trigoria will be "decisive" in accelerating decisions, adding that the club must "deliver a strong transfer window to match the enthusiasm of a city that has already purchased an enormous number of season tickets."
Stadium Progress: Euro 2032 Implications
The club's push to finalize the Pietralata stadium carries broader implications for Roman sports infrastructure. On July 27, a Conferenza dei Servizi decisoria will convene under the oversight of Massimo Sessa, the government-appointed extraordinary commissioner for stadiums. This technical and economic feasibility review is tethered to Italy's co-hosting duties for UEFA Euro 2032 alongside Turkey.
Roma faces a July 31 deadline to submit definitive plans to the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) if the capital is to remain a candidate host city. The proposed venue would seat between 55,000 and 60,000 spectators and is classified as a strategic national investment, fast-tracking approvals that have stalled previous stadium projects in Rome for over a decade.
Key hurdles include traffic mitigation, proximity to existing infrastructure, and preservation of green spaces. If cleared, construction could begin in late 2026 or early 2027, potentially delivering a new home in time for Euro 2032 group matches and beyond.
What This Means for Residents
For Romans and expats alike, the return of Champions League football translates into a packed autumn and spring fixture calendar. Matchday revenues will flow back into local businesses—bars, restaurants, hotels—particularly around the Ostiense and Testaccio districts where supporters congregate.
A modern stadium would address infrastructure needs the city has faced for decades, while Roma's renewed competitiveness promises to energize the capital's football culture after years of frustration.
Long-Term Vision
Gasperini's appointment in June 2025 represented a stylistic shift. Known for his high-pressing, tactically flexible systems honed at Atalanta, the 68-year-old coach secured Champions League qualification in his debut season—a feat that had eluded Roma for several years.
The Friedkin Group has committed approximately €1B in equity injections and capital increases, underwriting a patient but ambitious rebuild. With the club's centenary approaching and a modern stadium on the horizon, ownership is signaling a willingness to take calculated gambles in the transfer market rather than settle for incremental progress.
Whether that translates into a genuine title challenge remains to be seen. For now, Roma's focus is narrower: secure a top-four finish, advance past the Champions League group stage, and lay the organizational groundwork—on and off the pitch—for sustained success. If Gasperini can deliver on those fronts, the scudetto conversation may yet become more than aspirational.
