Galantic: 'Roma return to Champions League is fundamental after seven years'
Quick summary
A figure identified as Galantic has highlighted the significance of AS Roma returning to the UEFA Champions League after a seven-year absence.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRoma 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.’
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ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Matias Soule of Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal 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) 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 ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Donyell Malen of Roma gestures 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) “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.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 15: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma at Signal Iduna Park on August 15, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) “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.”
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 02: CEO of The Friedkin Group, Dan Freidkin plays a shot during a practice round prior to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 at the Old Course at St Andrews on October 02, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 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.
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What happened
AS Roma are set to return to the UEFA Champions League after a seven-year gap, with Galantic describing the achievement as 'fundamental' for the club. The return marks an important milestone for the Serie A side, restoring their presence among Europe's elite clubs. The remarks frame the qualification as a defining moment that carries implications for the club's ambitions, squad development, and standing in Italian and European football.
Chance analysis
Roma's return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence is a watershed moment for a club that has spent the intervening period oscillating between Europa League football and domestic frustration. Qualifying for Europe's top competition again reshapes the club's pull in the transfer market, its revenue base, and its capacity to retain star players. For supporters, the return ends a long absence from the stage where Roma's most memorable nights have traditionally been played.
Roma's Champions League return is a positive development, boosting the club's profile, revenue, and squad-building capacity ahead of the new season.