Galantic: ‘Roma return to Champions League fundamental after seven years’

ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 05: Roma players pose for a team photograph before during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on September 05, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Roma CEO John Galantic thanks the players who agreed to take pay cuts and help the club keep its best talents. ‘Returning to the Champions League is fundamental.’

It kicks off at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul at 17.45 UK time (18.45 CEST).

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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Como-RB Leipzig on the Liveblog.

This represents the first Giallorossi fixture in the Champions League after a seven-year gap, and they also started this season strong with three wins out of three in Serie A.

That included a late comeback to beat Atalanta 2-1, despite trailing 1-0 at home at the 87^th minute.

Galantic celebrating Roma milestone

“Returning to the Champions League after seven years, and in our centenary year, is fundamental and a very important day for our club and fans,” Galantic told Sky Sport Italia.

The only remaining absentee is Lorenzo Pellegrini, but rather than Nahuel Molina or Emanuele Lulli, it’s Devyne Rensch who starts on the right wing.

That means the entire starting XI is made up of players who were already at Roma last season, aided by keeping hold of their most valuable figures.

“Like many clubs, we need to find the sporting and economic balance that allows us to use the best possible team, but also respect the UEFA parameters,” added Galantic.

“It’s not easy, so we thank the owners for their investment, but also some players like Dybala, Pellegrini, Cristante and Mancini, who agreed to sign new contracts with reduced salaries so they could stay and play the Champions League.

“Thanks also to them, we managed to reduce the salary bill and also reinforce the squad.”

The Friedkin family have always shied away from interviews and wanted to take a back-seat role in running Roma, certainly compared to previous patrons.

“There have been many exchanges of messages today and will be more during the match, they are really fired up and inside this project. The Friedkin family might be quiet and have their style, but I can assure you, they are very, very involved,” concluded Galantic.