Baldissoni sees bigger picture after Champions League exploits

Baldissoni was asked about the impact of the club's recent Champions League run on the ongoing project to improve and develop the team - before discussing a number of issues related to the club going forward.

Are you more disappointed at not beating a team you could have, or more proud of the fact you battled until the death?

“It's a bit of both. You're always going to be disappointed when you fight till the very last minute to reach the Champions League final. You must always believe you're in with a chance, as our players did. Apart from the mistakes we made in the first leg, I think we had what it takes to beat Liverpool. At the same time, we realise how well we did over the course of the competition.

“The club aims to be one of the best teams in Europe and it's an ambitious objective. We want to be a 'Champions League team', as the president often says. This is the fourth year in a row that we've had the chance to play in the Champions League, although last year we went out to Porto at the play-off stage.

“I think the other night was a milestone because it marks a new starting point. Whether or not we reach the semi-finals or the final in future, we want to be able to give anyone a run for their money.”

Do you feel something has changed in the relationship between the club and the fans?

“You see the fruits of your labour on the pitch and results help you to understand how well you're doing because you don't obtain results by chance. The fans understand and appreciate what we're doing. There's never been any shortage of commitment. Sometimes it's difficult to explain what you're doing while you're doing it.”

Do you feel anything different around the city?

“I've always sensed a great deal of respect but people sometimes make judgements based on the moment. There's a bit more enthusiasm now. We need to rid ourselves of this veneer of pessimism. If you can dream of something, you can achieve it too. We've shown that it's doable and, yes, it does help relations.”

Sean Cox's wife appreciated Roma's support.

“I think it's abundantly clear to everyone that we never had a moment's hesitation and that we do not tolerate violence. People who go around bragging and showing off like that are despicable and we won't stand for it in the slightest.”

President Pallotta's comments on the refereeing could see him sanctioned by UEFA...

“We'll see. The president expressed a general principle, which is that technology can help the referee. The language may be a bit more colourful in the heat of the moment but we never intend to disrespect anyone. We have to focus on our own mistakes and how we can improve. The referee himself knows that he made mistakes but you must always show respect.”

Did you expect Eusebio Di Francesco to achieve results like this so quickly?

“It was certainly our hope. Di Francesco was our sporting director's first choice and we like his methods and the way he carries himself on and off the pitch. After the [Liverpool] game, he said we shouldn't be thinking about the referee as there's no time for things like that, and that the players should focus on winning until the very end.

"We've all improved this season – the players, the coach, all of us. In his first season in the competition he figured out the right way to approach it – not feeling we're inferior to anyone. “

Let's talk about finances. 30 June is always a difficult time. How is your approach different this year?

“30 June is a significant date because it's the end of the financial year and we have to make sure we're in line with the international rules. Selling players helps but it's a choice because revenue has been kept high so we choose to compete. If you want to achieve good results and high revenue, your costs are going to be high. And if your costs are higher than your revenue then you need to balance it out. It's something all clubs do and for different reasons it happens in every transfer window. It helps you to carry on growing. The results we've achieved so far have proved us right it's something we'll keep doing, although obviously the more revenue you can bring in, the fewer 'tactical' sales you have to make. It's a growth strategy.”

Which players will be sacrificed?

“Players who can be appropriately replaced. But I'd like to remind you that it's part of a strategy that involves buying new players, which is where the sporting director comes in. We'll see if it's something we need to do this year.”

Does Alisson have a price?

“No footballers have a price. The Bosman ruling changed a lot of things. Transfer deals start and finish when the three parties reach an agreement.”

Will Alessandro Florenzi sign a new contract?

“That's something the sporting director deals with and we have a very good one – probably the best there is. He does his job brilliantly.”

Is there a meeting scheduled with Florenzi's agent?

“Since he's good at his job, he must be in contact with Florenzi's agent too.”

Will you make many changes to this squad?

“This group of players has been together for years. People sometimes say that Roma have a high turnover of players but if you look at them one by one you'll see that most of them have been here for years. We know how important stability is just as we know that we need to make additions or changes to the squad, but now is not the time to be discussing it.”

Roma are one of the best four teams in Europe and all four semi-finalists have their own stadium. How is the Stadio dello Roma project coming along?

“The further we go, the easier it becomes to establish the time frames. We're now in the process of publishing the project and the various parties have until 11 June to make any observations, then the Comune and Regione will approve it by the end of the summer. After that, there'll be the mandatory European public tenders, together with private works. We should get started in about six months' time, at the end of this year or the start of next.”

Pallotta has said he could lose patience...

“He's very fond of the team and he's very competitive. He doesn't give in easily and he wants to help Roma achieve the targets he set. The stadium project is a daily expense. There are a whole load of people working on it and high costs – and he's put in money up front. Any delay, which may mean putting it back for a whole season, implies costs. It could get to a point where it's no longer sustainable, but fortunately that risk seems to be behind us now. We're confident.”

Will Roma qualify for next year's Champions League?

“I don't see why not. We're third at the moment.”