Roma General Manager Tiago Pinto went in depth about the upcoming second half of the season, the implications of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and Mourinho’s impact on the club’s transfer market. “As a director I am proud of how we went back to winning by improving the squad considerably and constantly. More importantly, however, we were able to significantly reduce by €25 million the team’s salary spending,” Pinto told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We did so by getting rid of players who were not functional to the team and yet earned a lot of money, which is something that took a toll on the club in the past. At the same time, we were able to give a chance to the younger players from the Primavera, allowing them to contribute in the first team.” “The club have modernized the training facilities, rebuilt a scouting network and updated match analysis, investing in the Women’s team.” “Criticism? The truth is that the team has gotten stronger in each transfer window. In the last year and a half, 14 players were signed. Since their arrival, the Friedkins have invested around €150 million in transfers.” “Last year Roma was the team that spent the most in Serie A: around €90 million, €40 of which for Abraham. This year Dybala, Wijnaldum, Matic, Belotti arrived. If we had told the fans two years ago that Mourinho and these players were coming, they wouldn’t have believed us. And in fact the enthusiasm around Roma has gone through the roof.” “FFP? As a club we believe in Financial Fair Play because it is an important tool towards economic sustainability, but it is certain that the limitations of the UEFA settlement agreement have forced us to change our strategy. Signing world class players without spending money on pricetags and without increasing the salary spending must be a source of pride not criticism.” “It is not always possible to buy all the players you would like: due to the UEFA’ stakes regulations, today we cannot identify an ideal player, approach his club and ask him to simply come over. As a result, we don’t have the players we always dreamed of but we do have all the players we need to reach our objectives. Because we live in the real world, not the one made only of desires.” “I thank Mourinho because many players have seen him as an important reason for choosing Roma. His support and his popularity were fundamental. We are all aware that with the coach we have, the squad we have and the structures available, we have to do much better in the second half of the season.”