AS Roma

Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as AS Roma or simply Roma, is a professional football club based in Rome, Italy, that competes in Serie A, the top tier of the Italian football league system. Founded in 1927, the club is one of the most successful and widely supported teams in Italian football, renowned for its passionate fan base, historic rivalries, and significant contributions to the sport's cultural landscape.

History

The origins of AS Roma trace back to the summer of 1927, when Italo Foschi orchestrated the merger of three older Roman football clubs: Roman F.C., S.S. Alba-Audace Roma, and Fortitudo-Pro Roma S.G.S. This merger was largely encouraged by the fascist regime of the time, which sought to strengthen the capital's football representation against the dominant clubs from Northern Italy. Roma played its first official match in 1927 and steadily grew in prominence. The club secured its first major trophy, the Scudetto, in the 1941–42 season, a feat largely driven by the goals of Amedeo Amadei.

The post-war decades saw fluctuating fortunes, with the club experiencing relegations and promotions before establishing itself as a permanent fixture in the top flight during the 1960s. The 1980s marked a golden era for the club, highlighted by a second Serie A title in the 1982–83 season under manager Nils Liedholm, alongside a roster featuring stars like Paulo Roberto Falcão, Bruno Conti, and Agostino Di Bartolomei. Roma also reached the European Cup final in 1984, only to lose on penalties to Liverpool at the Stadio Olimpico.

The turn of the 21st century brought another period of immense success. Under the management of Fabio Capello, Roma won its third Serie A title in the 2000–01 season, cementing the legacy of captain Francesco Totti, who would go on to become the club's all-time top scorer and most iconic figure. In recent years, the club achieved continental success by winning the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022 under the guidance of José Mourinho, adding a new chapter to its European history.

Stadium

AS Roma plays its home matches at the Stadio Olimpico, a multi-purpose stadium located in the Foro Italico sports complex. The stadium, which was originally built for the 1960 Summer Olympics and extensively renovated for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, has a seating capacity of approximately 70,000. Roma shares the Stadio Olimpico with their cross-city rivals, SS Lazio.

Over the years, the club's ownership has explored the possibility of building a new, dedicated stadium to increase matchday revenues and modernize the fan experience. The proposed stadium project, initially planned for the Pietralata district and later reconsidered for other locations, has faced significant administrative, political, and logistical hurdles, leaving the Stadio Olimpico as the club's home ground for the foreseeable future.

Honours

Throughout its history, AS Roma has accumulated a substantial collection of domestic and international trophies. Domestically, the club has won the Serie A championship three times (1941–42, 1982–83, and 2000–01) and has been runners-up on numerous occasions, including five second-place finishes in the 2000s. Roma has also enjoyed considerable success in the Coppa Italia, having lifted the trophy nine times, which places them among the most successful clubs in the competition's history. Additionally, they have won the Supercoppa Italiana twice.

On the European stage, Roma's most notable achievement is winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022. They have also been runners-up in the European Cup (1983–84) and the UEFA Europa League (2022–23), as well as the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1963–64.

Rivalries

The most significant rivalry for AS Roma is the Derby della Capitale, contested against SS Lazio. This match is widely considered one of the most heated and intense derbies in world football. Unlike many other city derbies where the divide is based on social class, the split between Roma and Lazio supporters in Rome is largely geographical and cultural, though both clubs draw fans from all walks of life. The rivalry is deeply embedded in the city's identity, and the matches are characterized by elaborate choreographies, intense atmosphere, and high stakes for local pride.

Roma also maintains historical rivalries with other Italian clubs, most notably Juventus and Napoli, stemming from competitive matches in the 1980s and the geographical tension between the capital and the industrial north or the southern city of Naples.

Culture and Supporters

The traditional colors of AS Roma are yellow and red, known in Italian as "giallorossi," which are derived from the historical colors of the city of Rome. The club's crest features a golden she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, a direct reference to the mythological foundation of Rome. The club's anthem, "Roma Roma Roma," composed by Antonello Venditti, is a staple at home matches and serves as a unifying anthem for the supporters.

AS Roma boasts one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in Italy. While their core support is concentrated in Rome and the surrounding Lazio region, the club enjoys widespread popularity throughout central and southern Italy, as well as a massive global following among the Italian diaspora and international fans. The supporters' culture is vibrant, with numerous organized fan groups playing a central role in matchday atmospheres.

Ownership and Management

The corporate structure and ownership of AS Roma have undergone significant changes in the 21st century. For many years, the club was controlled by the Sensi family, who led the team during its most successful modern period. In 2011, the American entrepreneur Thomas DiBenedetto acquired the club, later selling his stake to the American billionaire James Pallotta in 2012. Pallotta's tenure saw the club consistently qualify for the UEFA Champions League but also faced criticism from fans regarding transfer strategies and stadium issues.

In August 2020, the Friedkin Group, an American investment and management company led by Dan Friedkin, completed the acquisition of AS Roma. Under the Friedkin ownership, the club has focused on restructuring its sporting department, investing in youth development, and stabilizing its financial and operational framework to compete at the highest levels of domestic and European football.