Daniele De Rossi warns that Roma can still ‘improve or ruin everything’ and explains why Lorenzo Pellegrini has surprised him.
The Giallorossi secured their seventh win in nine Serie A games under De Rossi on Sunday, beating Sassuolo 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to a goal from their captain Pellegrini.
Roma remain three points below fourth-placed Bologna and eight below Juventus in third.
“It is fundamental to win all games. In the beginning, not everyone believed we could make it, but we did,” De Rossi told DAZN, as quoted by VoceGiallorossa.
Pellegrini has six goals and three assists in 13 matches under De Rossi.
“I can’t complain about these two months. Practically, he has scored in all games,” noted DDR.
“Pellegrini is the Roma captain, and it’s not a comfortable role. When things don’t go well, Rome brings complaints and annoying things, and the captain is the first one to be targeted. I have experienced this personally.
“People love me now, but there were difficult moments when I was in the spotlight. Pellegrini wears this armband with a serenity that has surprised me. He was young when I left, now he’s a captain, and it’s not easy. He is positive and professional, a box-to-box midfielder that not many have. I am happy he will play with the national team because this is his level.”
Is a top-four finish a realistic target for the Giallorossi?
“Roma are not the best team, but aside from Milan, Inter and Juventus, we can play on par with the others and fight for this target,” DDR replied.
“There are teams that prove football is not only numbers and wage bills; otherwise, Bologna would be tenth. We must be confident and believe in ourselves. If we don’t, earning points will be more difficult.
“I was lucky to find a club and a group of players that believed in me. There’s still a long way to go, we can still improve or ruin everything if we are not ready in these two months.”
De Rossi provided injury updates during his post-match press conference, especially regarding Leonardo Spinazzolla, who had to be subbed off in the first half, and Paulo Dybala, who was unavailable due to a muscle injury.
“Spina felt discomfort in his muscle. He didn’t seem desperate, but the first feeling is not definitive,” De Rossi explained.
“As for Dybala, there is a medical update. Hopefully, he returns after the break.”
Why did he start Houssem Aouar rather than Tommaso Baldanzi to replace La Joya?
“Baldanzi is among the most similar to Paulo, but it was a technical choice as Aouar is improving physically and in terms of what I demand. Tommas played 90 minutes two days ago and had a swollen big toe,” concluded De Rossi.