A CLASSIC REIMAGINED BY AS ROMA
Hot on the heels of the AS Roma 2020/21 home kit (see our full overview here), Roma and Nike have released the away kit for the new season. The new second shirt is again inspired by the greats of the past and bring back memories of the club’s away shirts of the 1980s (produced Patrick, Kappa and Ennerre). A beautiful light base in ‘pale ivory’ colour is complimented nicely by the dark red trimmings, a stylish old-school collar with a two-button closure, and of course, it’s all topped off with the return of the glorious solo Lupetto (no double circle).
The iconic Lupetto badge, designed by the late Piero Gratton, returns as the main crest in solo format, without the usual two surrounding circles. It is the first time its ever appeared in black on a main kit (Note: barring a variation produced in 1983-83 used for the latter stages of the season), as opposed to its previous incarnations when it appeared in dark red on the clubs Adidas 1992-94 away kit or in dark red with and orange eye on the Asics 1994-95 versions. The overall kit is perhaps lacking another touch of yellow/orange (a stripe appears on the socks), so the lupetto in those previous colours may have worked better. It is a nice touch to have it appearing on its own, and a tribute to the great Piero Gratton, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The above graphic shows the solo Lupetto crest as it appears in black with a dark red eye on the new kit, but it has appeared in a variety of colour combinations throughout the years. Sometimes it appeared on a red circle (’86-90), sometimes with the ‘as roma’ or ‘as roma spa’ underneath (’82), and sometimes in a shield shape border (that Diadora kit in ’96). The above bottom right above shows the regular lupetto with the double circle as it first appeared in 1978 (since redrawn) and then how it appeared in latter years.
“Everyone remembers those away kits from the early 1980s, with the yellow and red collars,” said midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini. “The influence of those designs is clear to see in this new kit, one I think will quickly find its way into the hearts of the fans.”
Complementing the new shirt, the away shorts are also dark red. On the right thigh, the Lupetto is presented in white – another call-back to the 1980s. Socks in ivory complete the outfit; the socks also coming with a yellow and red detailing at the top that reflects the shirt’s distinctive collar.
The new away kit is near perfection from Nike. A clean, light base with subtle use of the club colours, a classic, retro feel with a polo collar, and a striking solo Lupetto all make for a classic yet stylish away jersey. It will look as good on the pitch as it will in the stands, on the street or socialising with friends. It’s a beautiful piece of kit which gives Roma a home and away kit combo for the ages. What more do you want in a football jersey?
The new 2020-21 AS Roma away kit will worn for the first time in tonight in Serie A v Torino, and is available at all AS Roma Stores, at Nike stores and online from ASRomaStore.com
