Daniele De Rossi explains how he wanted to change Roma from the Jose Mourinho version, gives a Paulo Dybala injury update and the ‘moment that will remain in the photograph album of my life.’
It was a tense atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico, as while the fans were ready to welcome back their former midfielder and captain De Rossi in this new role as coach, they were also mourning the dismissal of Mourinho and repeatedly jeered most of the players in the warm-up.
“It was pleasing. When I came to watch games here, even just walking around the city, I always felt the affection of the fans,” De Rossi told DAZN after the 2-1 win over Verona.
“This is a different role, so while I felt very emotional, there was also a lot of pressure, as I have a job to do. I heard the fans calling me during the game and I could not be happier.”
Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Pellegrini scored early on from Stephan El Shaarawy assists, as the new 4-3-2-1 formation seemed to work well, giving them more creativity in attack.
Paulo Dybala and Leonardo Spinazzola went off with muscular issues, while Verona missed a penalty with Milan Djuric and poured forward after the Michael Folorunsho screamer surprised Rui Patricio.
“I really liked the first half, but if you do the same moves without the right pace, without moving the ball quickly and without remembering why you are doing it, then you are going to struggle.”
Dybala was already feeling the back of his left thigh during the warm-up, then went off midway through the second half. Is there another injury?
“Paulo felt something before the match, but nothing serious. I think we can repeat that diagnosis here, he felt it harden a little and it was best not to push it. He said it was nothing major.
“Spinazzola might’ve had slightly more damage, but again nothing serious.”
De Rossi did not just change the system, but also had Roma moving the ball to feet far more and trying to keep far more possession than Mourinho was accustomed to.
“I believe you should control the ball and therefore dominate the game, it is one of the first things we worked on. However, if we do it quickly to get away from the opposition press, then it has meaning. However, if we keep possession slowly, then we don’t put the game to bed, we put ourselves to bed and fall asleep.
“We become too predictable, the opponents are well-prepared and know how to get through those situations if we don’t move the ball quickly.”
At the final whistle, De Rossi and the entire Roma squad went to salute the fans under the Curva Sud.
“It is one of those moments that will remain in the photograph album of my life,” said the lifelong supporter.
“I joked many years ago that my greatest regret was that I had only one career at Roma. Now it seems the second has been given to me and we’ll see how long it lasts.
“I have to enjoy the love of these people, but also work at 100 per cent, because they will never let me forget we were together for 20 years. It was only right to go there and thank them for that tribute, but I won’t go under the Curva every game.
“We must celebrate victories and recreate enthusiasm here, so even though the team did not play very well in the final 25 minutes, they showed heart, determination and brought home the result.”
#SerieA | #Roma, #DeRossi: "L'abbraccio con i tifosi? Memorabile. #Pellegrini è un vero leader"https://t.co/OdEc1hJMHn
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) January 20, 2024
De Rossi had a good first game. I expected more from the Mourinho-led Roma squad this year…hopefully De Rossi can keep the team competitive.