by Forever Blue » Thu Jul 30, 2026 11:15 am
One of Italy's biggest teams, AS Roma share a unique connection with Cardiff City, with the year 1927 having a special significance to both clubs. Of course, the Bluebirds lifted the FA Cup after beating Arsenal at Wembley in April '27, whilst AS Roma were officially formed a few months later by the merger of three older clubs from the city of Rome: Roman FC, SS Alba-Audace and Fortitudo-Pro Roma SGS.
Competing against the established giants of northern Italy, it took a while for Roma to win their first scudetto, which they achieved during the 1941/42 wartime season. The early 1960's also brought success, as I Giallorossi defeated Birmingham City to win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1961 and beat Torino to lift the Coppa Italia in 1964.
After a 41-year wait, Roma won their second Italian league title in 1982/83, and also reached the European Cup Final in 1984, losing on penalties to Liverpool. The turn of the millennium saw a third scudetto, spearheaded by heroic striker Francesco Totti, who would later go on to become the club's all time record appearance holder and top scorer.
Roma's most recent major honour was the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League. I Giallorossi were the inaugural winners of the competition, defeating Feyenoord in the final. In doing so, then manager José Mourinho became the first and only manager to win all three major European club honours: the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Roma play their home matches at the 70,634 capacity Stadio Olimpico, which has been their home ground since 1953/54. Roma share their stadium with arch-rivals SS Lazio - the two teams contest the Derby della Capitale - and the Italian national football and rugby teams. The stadium was renovated and renamed for the 1960 Summer Olympic Games, and has since hosted two European Championships Finals, four European Cup/Champions League Finals and the 1990 World Cup Final.
