In summer 1992, Juventus was interested in acquiring Mihajlović, but he moved to play for Roma where he was brought on initiative by compatriot head coach Vujadin Boškov, also a new arrival to Olimpico, having led Sampdoria in the European Cup Final mere months earlier. The transfer fee Roma paid to Red Star for Mihajlović was reportedly ITL8.5 billion (~US$5.9 million). Led on the pitch by talisman midfielder and hometown hero Giuseppe Giannini, Roma was looking to build on their previous season's 5th place league finish.