“Dante’s Vespa, Carletto Galli and me”: the story of Pietro, 71 years always at the Olimpico

Dante refers to Dante Ghirighini, the father of the famous “Daje Roma Daje” chant. He is also part of the story of passion shared by Pietro Ciucci.

The story was brought to the club’s attention by Pietro’s daughter, Claudia, who commented on a Facebook post about Gaetano Alegiani, a Roma fan since 1964: “Great Gaetano! My father Pietro was also born in 1948 and has been a season-ticket holder since 1963. AS Roma is his reason for living.”

“My daughter exaggerates,” Pietro says modestly, “because I first had a season ticket when I was 17, but it’s true that I’ve been going to the Olimpico since I was five.” That’s since 1953. “My father was a Lazio supporter and owned a restaurant on Viale Angelico. It was my uncle Gabriele, a Roma fan, who made me fall in love with Roma. It was down to him and the headed goals of Carletto Galli. We used to call him “Testina d’oro” (golden head).”

The 1982-83 Scudetto celebrations on Viale Angelico, in front of the venue later managed by Pietro

Once Pietro started going, he simply never stopped. As a boy, Dante Ghirighini would pick him up from his house: “He was a friend of my father. I’d hop on his Vespa and we’d go to the Curva Sud together.” As he grew older, Pietro moved to the stands on the side: “I had one year in Monte Mario, entrance number 10, and then in Tevere ever since.” Pietro continued to buy season tickets even after turning 60 when health issues began to arise.

“I’ve always had a season ticket regardless of the expectations at the start of the season. Roma is a type of faith that should never be questioned, especially during the match itself.”

Pietro’s love for Roma spans many generations of the team: “I had a deep love for Giacomino Losi, but also for Kawasaki Rocca. Francisco Lojacono was incredible, a player with unbelievable technique. I was very attached to Peppe Giannini. I don’t think I even need to mention Francesco Totti.”

Be it at home or away, Pietro has tried to follow Roma everywhere: “I’ve been everywhere: Bruges, Munich, Valencia, Barcelona…” In Barcelona, his son-in-law Fabio even started a Roma Club in the pub he managed. Pietro bursts into laughter: “It was packed out with Roma fans. It felt like the Curva Sud!”

As a fan who has attended matches non-stop ever since 1953, we asked what Roma means to him. “I put Roma ahead of so many things. It’s a passion that only those who experience it can understand. I get that people who don’t share it might think someone like me is crazy, but I don’t think I’m the only one. As I said earlier, I truly believe it’s a faith.”

It is a faith that Pietro has tried to manage in tandem with life’s commitments: “In 1983, I organised the reception for the baptism of one of my three children on the Cassia, so that right after lunch, I could go to the Olimpico to watch Roma face Juve.” His youngest daughter is Claudia, while his other two children are called Piero – “I named him after Pierino Prati” – and Roberto: “Well, I don’t even need to tell you that I named him after il Bomber Roberto Pruzzo.”

Hats off to you, Pietro Ciucci!

Pietro with his other son Roberto on 17 June 2001