Massimo D’Alema, interviewed during the program “Il Diabolico e il Divino” broadcast on New Sound Level 90.0 FM, said: “I Friedkin? They started off well. Beyond the roles if you need advice are available. Mourinho? He is like a South American politician, he is a conqueror. Pellegrini is ready to be captain. The championship? I see Milan and Napoli in front of the others. Spalletti? Unfair rhetoric after the turbulent farewell. The capacity in the stadiums? I trust Draghi. “

In so many years of passion for Roma, can you list your favorite players in the history of Roma?

It is very difficult, but if I can start from my early childhood, since my passion starts there, my first favorite player was Arne Selmosson, who was among other things one of the first to play for both Roma and Lazio. Certainly, coming a little further over the years I have to say Bruno Conti and Falcao. I cannot insert Totti because Totti is contemporary, he is not part of Rome’s past but of the present. Remains unforgettable, for those in love with this team and this city, Agostino Di Bartolomei, a sensitive person and unique in his passion but Bruno Conti and Falcao were the two most loved playmakers.

What is your opinion on the start of the Roma season?

It is difficult to move on to defeat in the derby. Roma are a young team with a desire to do, but they have evident weaknesses in particular in defense and therefore I think there is still a lot to do. It is true that Rome is not discussed, but if we want to make a thorough discussion it is clear that there is room for improvement.

Among the other teams in the league, which do you consider ahead of the others and ahead of Roma?

If I have to tell the truth, I have great admiration for Atalanta, because overall, considering the team, the club and the coach, you always have the feeling that he can arrive, they have an incredible fighting spirit and determination. And then I admire Gasperini a lot, he has a great personality from an intellectual point of view, I met him at the presentation of the academic year at the University of Genoa and there was talk of symmetries; well I was very impressed by the level of culture and personality and therefore I admire his team. With less transport I also believe that Milan will do even more in recent years, unfortunately I see several teams in a position to finish above Roma and at the moment I am much more afraid of Spalletti’s Napoli than Allegri’s Juventus. Napoli is undoubtedly the team that makes the most impression because they have a coach with a great personality. We left badly with Spalletti, who found himself managing a complicated situation because the club did not support him by fully fulfilling his role, but Spalletti is undoubtedly a man of personality and intelligence. Even the film and the series on Totti communicated an unfair image of the Tuscan coach, the responsibility for the difficulty in which he found himself was not his.

What do you think of the Friedkin management and the attention of foreign investors, particularly Americans, to football clubs in Italy?

I believe that the current ownership of Roma has presented itself well, after years of suffering due to the absence of the previous club that did not do the team and the environment at all good. The Friedkins show considerable attention, presence and transport and I really like the club that puts its face into it and that, for good or for men, supports the team. As far as the interest of foreigners is concerned, I believe that it is the demonstration that Italian football is starting to gain momentum and it is an extremely positive sign; However, it remains to be seen whether at the company level here in Italy we will be able to make the leap in quality, realizing the investments as has been done by the other major clubs in the continent. If the investor helps us to make a qualitative leap, he is obviously welcome.

How do you assess stadium management during the pandemic?

I think it is very difficult to avoid creating political issues about the pandemic. I hope that we will be back to 100% everywhere soon, not just to the stadium, but who can decide who has this responsibility. I am convinced that the Italian government has handled this emergency well; a sign of this is the greater economic recovery compared to other countries and therefore I tend to respect everything that is decided without who decides. Personally, I will gladly return to the stadium after all this time that I have been away, among other things I have never gone to see the derby away from home for good luck.

Does Josè Mourinho in your charisma remind you of any of your colleagues, any political leaders?

European politicians normally have a more staid style than Mourinho, he communicates enthusiasm, he is a very passionate leader, he looks more like some South American politician. I am a great admirer of Mourinho because being a Roma coach is a job, there are so many pressures to bear and we only achieved something when coaches of great personalities are able to avoid being drawn from the environment, such as Liedholm and Capello. I was a close friend of Franco Sensi who responds to the canons of the president I described earlier, as well as Dino Viola and it is these strong personalities who led Rome to victory. Sensi, for example, was angry with Capello because he did not listen to him and I told him that Capello’s job was precisely to not listen to him, he looks at me a bit dazed but then he understood; I was usually called in these situations for conflict situations.

Is there still a bit of personality left in the club or team?

I believe that it is necessary to invest more in the team, it is a young team with a good prospect but something is still missing behind it, I do not perceive that sense of security when we are under pressure. Sure we still need something more.

Would Rome accept a role in society? What role would you like to fill?

I would discourage presidents from choosing me honestly. I have had contact with some men of the company but I have never been interested in participating, I have other very interesting activities and I believe that it would not be fair and compatible with other positions. And if the club needs anything for AS Roma, I am always available. Roma consider it a great passion and a hobby but not a job.

How do you rate the service offered by Dazn or Amazon Prime?

I don’t want to swear because it wouldn’t be nice. I say that when you run a tender to get an assignment, one of the requirements must be that whoever wins the tender must be able to offer an effective service. The Lega Calcio should also ensure that the rights assigned to a club capable of offering an adequate service. I understand the logic of maximum profit, but there must be a control that protects all interested parties.

Which player of this Rome do you prefer?

There are several who are very good, but since the first reference from this point of view is Il Capitano, I answer Lorenzo Pellegrini. Zaniolo is splendid, he has a lot of strength and a lot of passion and I like him very much, but undoubtedly the most ready and most mature player from a technical and personality point of view is the current Captain.