Double delight for Roma on 'pivotal day' for the club

Just hours before kick-off in the decisive final Group C meeting with Azerbaijani champions Qarabag, word came through that all four decision-making bodies involved in the approval process for Stadio della Roma had given the application the formal green light.

After a five-year process, the club is now on the verge of beginning construction of its own home.

“This is a pivotal day for Rome and for AS Roma," club president Jim Pallotta said. "I'm delighted because I know what this decision could mean for Rome itself, for our club's future and for our fans - and we want to give them the home they deserve.”

With that good news behind them, just a few hours later the team on the pitch went out and beat Qarabag 1-0, duly securing their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League and, by virtue of results elsewhere, finishing as Group C winners.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s side will now be seeded for Monday’s last-16 draw.

"It's a magnificent result for us, for our confidence, for the rest of our season and for Roma's reputation on the international stage,” club captain Daniele De Rossi said. “We're happy.

"We've been on the wrong end of a couple of drubbings in Europe [in the past] so this goes some way to restoring our reputation. It's fantastic to finish top of such a difficult group.”

STADIO DELLA ROMA

Tuesday’s announcement was the culmination of final discussions among the four main decision-making bodies overseeing the project: Roma Capitale, the Metropolitan City, Lazio Regione and the government.

All four gave the project their approval and, upon the completion of a few requested amendments, the club could begin construction early in the New Year.

The current aim is to have the new stadium open for the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

“There are still a few administrative steps that need to be taken before the whole process is completed and we can begin construction but the project has now been approved,” managing director Mauro Baldissoni said.

"“We're ready to start out on the final road that will lead us to breaking ground, probably in late spring – hopefully around April or early May so that we can aim to finish in time for the 2020-21 season and be ready in August 2020.

"It's been a team effort. This project has taught us that when you work together as a team you get results. This such a big and important project – it's system-wide. And for that we must thank everyone who helped make this possible.”

The stadium, in the Tor di Valle area of the city, will have a capacity of 52,500 (expandable to 60,000) and features a 14,000-seater ‘Curva’.

It will provide a cutting-edge matchday viewing experience for Giallorossi supporters.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Di Francesco’s side began Tuesday night knowing a win would guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the competition, but they would have to rely on results elsewhere if they were to top the group.

As it turned out, things would transpire as well as any fan could have hoped: Roma holding up their end of the bargain with a 1-0 win (thanks to Diego Perotti’s header), as Chelsea also drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid.

That meant both Roma and Chelsea finished on 11 points, with Roma finishing ahead by virtue of a better head-to-head record (drawing 3-3 in London, winning 3-0 at the Olimpico). Atletico Madrid will continue in the Europa League this season.

That means the Giallorossi will be seeded for Friday’s last-16 draw, and cannot face the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. With four groups still to be completed the potential list of opponents is not finalised, but Basel, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are among the sides that could be drawn.

“It's the players who deserve credit first and foremost,” Di Francesco said. “I just try to put my ideas across. As I said, the main thing is getting inside the players' heads.

"I think I've managed to do that but I'm not going to settle for what we've got. We still have a lot of work to do.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

The draw for the last-16 of the Champions League takes place on Monday.

Construction on Stadio della Roma is provisionally expected to begin in early 2018.