Daniele De Rossi explains how it felt ‘different’ to be Roma coach in the derby against Lazio rather than a player and won’t look to the future. ‘It felt like time would never pass.’
He had experienced this fixture as a player 31 times, earning 14 wins, seven draws and 10 defeats, scoring two goals.
The former midfielder was also sent off in November 2012 and his last Derby della Capitale was as captain in 2019, a 3-0 defeat, so this felt like making up for that by starting his coaching career with a victory.
“It’s a bit different as a coach, you know that defeat tends to weigh on the coach more. We felt this incredible pressure, going back to the days when we were fighting for more prestigious objectives,” De Rossi told DAZN.
“The pressure is worse as a coach, because at least as a player I could run around and let some steam off, do something. On the touchline after a while I asked the fourth official if the clock had stopped, because it felt like time would never pass.”
After the initial celebration at the final whistle, the rest of the squad went back out to enjoy their experience with the Curva Sud.
“I wanted to stay back, but they pretty much dragged me out there. That was their moment, not mine. I enjoyed a few hugs with the fans too in the end, that’s always special.”
De Rossi still had some regrets after last week’s 0-0 draw at the Stadio Via del Mare, which saw them slip behind in the battle for a top four finish.
“We lacked the second ball against Lecce because the coach had to do better. I watched this game and got angry, as evidently I did not put the same fire into these lads last week and that was an important match too.
“We must always be like this, the attitude from start to finish was excellent. We had the spirit of the derby, but the way I see football, it should be not dissimilar to the spirit of Lecce-Roma.”
It was also a special moment because Tammy Abraham made his comeback after knee surgery in June.
“I think someone who comes on in the derby after a nine-month absence is extra fired up. Since the day I arrived, Tammy has been telling me ‘I can’t wait, I can’t wait’ – so I let him off the leash and he was running all over the place. It will take a while to see the real Tammy again, though.”
De Rossi lost only one ‘real’ match since replacing Jose Mourinho in mid-January. He was asked how he had changed the team, but responded in typical DDR fashion.
“I hate those fake humble people who always give credit to others, as ultimately they are the ones who believe they are better than anyone else.
“Some said I was courageous to take this job, but it dropped out of the sky, this enormous opportunity. I am training excellent players here, so they can hide some of my faults.
“We are trying to improve the things I saw that needed to be improved, there’s more to be done. When you arrive, you do a sort of inventory, they have grit, defensive solidity, this, that and the other, but I saw what they could do better was in attack.
“I think we’ve seen good results, but unfortunately also some less good ones, the draw with Lecce was downright bad. As a coach, you have to re-do the inventory every week and see what needs doing.”
Although the fans have adored De Rossi for decades as a player, he is not asking for any special treatment at the Stadio Olimpico.
“I was in Serie B briefly, but every article started ‘ex-World Cup winner’ and perhaps the results I got as a coach there did not help them to talk about anything other than my playing career.
“I saw the way the game against Lecce was interpreted, so I know it doesn’t take long for it to all fall down. But then I am happy, because I don’t want to be protected and coddled because I was here for a lifetime, I want to be treated as a real coach.”
When he was playing and Francesco Totti wore the armband, De Rossi was known as Capitan Futuro – Future Captain – so was asked if he is also Roma’s Future Coach?
“I am Present Coach. I was on the outside of Roma, I’d just come to the stadium – at times in disguise – to cheer on the team, but I had nothing to do with the club.
“I had doubts over how I would experience the derby. It wasn’t too stressful, I had a peak of emotions at the end that will stay with me for life.
“I don’t know what will happen in the future, I focus only on the present. Sometimes you have to sit on the couch with a beer, some crisps and enjoy the moment.”
Next up is Milan in the Europa League quarter-final, with the first leg on Thursday at San Siro.
“There is a pact with my staff, I am banned from watching the games of the next team we will face until it comes to it. We know Milan well anyway.”