Seven Scenes of AS Roma (soccer)
Photography by Lee Rudnicki
Scene 1 - Berserk AS Roma fans invade Piazza del Popolo.
People went nuts, but there was no violence or anger or aggression.
Everyone was just really really really really really really really happy.
It was amazing.
Scene 2 - AS Roma Stadium Club, just before it opens
The best food I have ever had at any sporting event, bar none.
Scene 3 - Stadio Olimpico, Giant Billiards, 2017ish.
17th most random sports promotion in the history of Italian soccer.
Scene 4 - The wolf and I, Episode 3
AS Roma’s wolf mascot, Romolo, was introduced during the 1999–2000 season, embodying the club's connection to the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. Designed as a grey wolf, Romolo symbolizes bravery, loyalty, and the indomitable spirit of the team. In 2019, Romolo underwent a redesign by artist Simone Legno, bringing a fresh, modern look to the beloved character.
Here we are.
Scene 5 - Daniele De Rossi street art, Trastevere
In the heart of Trastevere, a mural of Daniele De Rossi stares out with quiet defiance. His abrupt dismissal as Roma's coach in September 2024 sparked outrage among fans, who saw the decision as a betrayal of the club's soul. De Rossi, a lifelong Roman and club legend, embodies the spirit of AS Roma. His image on the wall stands as a testament to unwavering loyalty and the unbreakable bond between the team and its supporters. In Rome, De Rossi isn't just a former player or coach, he is Roma.
Scene 6 - Roma vs. Juventus 2020
This was my last Roma match for a while, and soon, it would be everyone’s. Just weeks later, the COVID-19 pandemic would bring Italian football, and the world, to a standstill. That night at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma fell 2–1 to Juventus, with Diego Perotti’s penalty offering a glimmer of hope after early goals from Merih Demiral and Ronaldo.
But the result faded quickly into the background. In hindsight, the match felt like the closing scene of a chapter we didn’t know was ending, the last roar of the Curva Sud before silence.
Scene 7 - Curva Sud
The legendary Curva Sud: a thunderous wall of red and yellow where Roma’s ultras gather in relentless, unified devotion. On match day, it erupts into a living force—flares blazing, chants echoing like battle cries, scarves raised high by thousands in a fierce salute. Massive flags ripple across the section, painting the air with passion and pride. The energy surges through the stands, shaking the very soul of Stadio Olympic
Bonus Scene 10 - Totti shirt (mandatory)
Francesco Totti is the soul of AS Roma—a one-club icon whose loyalty and brilliance defined a generation. From his debut at 16 to his farewell at 40, he wore the No. 10 shirt with unmatched pride, delivering 307 goals in 786 appearances. A World Cup winner and Serie A champion, Totti turned down football’s biggest clubs to stay with his beloved Roma, earning the eternal title of “Il Capitano.” In the eyes of the Curva Sud, he is not just a legend—he is the eighth King of Rome.
