Roma Women invited to Campidoglio to celebrate remarkable year

Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri and the Minister for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion Alessandro Onorato welcomed players and staff in recognition of a year that has seen the side win the Supercoppa, qualify for the Champions League for the first time and then go on to reach the last-eight of European competition.

"To be able to welcome staff from Roma Women here at Campidoglio is a great pleasure for us," said Gualtieri.

"We are proud of the things the club is achieving; the results the girls are picking up both in Italy and Europe brings great credit to the city of Rome and brings more visibility to women's football - helping continue to grow the game in our country."

He added: "We wish the players all the best for their next challenges and we thank the club for their efforts; because beyond what they do on the pitch they are also always supporting important causes."

“Roma are doing incredible work not just with the women's sector, but also the youth academy and as a club in general," said Onorato.

"Unfortunately the girls have not been able to play Champions League games in Rome, but we want to give women's sport an important venue [in the city] and we can say with certainty that the work needed to upgrade Stadio Tre Fontane will happen. Rome has amazing potential and great resources and we want to ensure its facilities are the best around."

Head of Women's Football Betty Bavagnoli, coach Alessandro Spugna and captain Elisa Bartoli led the Roma delegation.

"It's an honour for us to be here today," said Spugna.

"It's been an incredible year and we are finishing it off in a great way, with this opportunity at Campidoglio. We would like to thank the Mayor for the welcome and we will try and ensure we are back again at the end of the season - as that will mean we have achieved something amazing over the next few months."

"We thank the Mayor for this invite and for his kind words about what we are doing," Bavagnoli said.

"Our girls have fired up the fans with their ability and efforts out on the pitch. They are great professionals and great women, with respect and humility the cornerstones of everything they do - on the pitch and off it.

"If we have achieved certain things then it is all down to the girls, the coach, the staff and everyone else working with them."

“Ringraziamo la città perché si è riconosciuta in questa nostra identità”

- Betty Bavagnoli

"Speaking on behalf of all the girls, I would like to say we are delighted to be here," said Bartoli.

"We can't wait to play in the Champions League at Stadio Tre Fontane, we are really pleased at the prospect of that happening in future.

"I would like to thank all those who are involved in trying to resolve the current situation. I know there are a lot of Roma fans here at city hall, so I will finish off by saying, 'Forza Roma!'"

See more photos from the day's events!

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