Daniele De Rossi is full of admiration for Stefano Pioli ahead of Roma’s Europa League match with Milan: “I highly respect him, both as a person and as a coach.” The Giallorossi make the short trip to Milan this evening, fresh from their derby success at the weekend over Lazio. Speaking to the press, De Rossi offered an update on his squad and explained what kind of match he expects:
“I highly respect Pioli, both as a person and as a coach. We must be ready to prepare for the match. Sooner or later, we have to face everyone. Smalling? He’s doing well. I brought him on because I thought we needed his quality in defense. The management was related to the absence of several central defenders. The thought was projected towards the match against Milan. However, he trains well, and we are satisfied with how he has recovered.”
De Rossi continued by discussing the preparation for the match against Milan: “We are aware of the strength of Milan’s players. They have individuals who are dangerous with the ball at their feet. We need to be good in movement and arrive at the right times in the areas of the field. If one is lucky enough to coach a player like Dybala, they must ask for sacrifice, running, commitment, and not change him too much, ruining his athletic condition. Even the Milan players will fear Dybala. In the derby, he fought like true leaders; I have a screenshot on my phone with the duels won against Lazio. It’s up to me to tell him where, when, and how to go and fight without putting him against Theo Hernandez for the entire game.”
The Giallorossi coach then talked about Pioli’s team and the past months on Roma’s bench: “Milan is a harmonious team; they have found their form and make it difficult for everyone. It will take great character. These months in Rome have not changed me; they make me happy every day. It doesn’t change the way I approach life. In Rome, we are always fatalistic; I realized that I did it with myself too when teams closed the doors on me, choosing another coach. But all of this has brought me here, and I feel really lucky. Now I want to show my work. Sometimes we feel sorry for ourselves, but in my life, everything has always gone well.”
De Rossi then considered the importance of the match for his team: “Roma has everything to lose; we’re not here to just be extras. In the league, maybe you can settle for a draw, but in Europe, it doesn’t exist. In one way or another, analyzing our potential, we will have to try to win. A derby victory in Rome is worth ten matches; I asked the boys not to get carried away. But I saw great enthusiasm and a desire to get back to work immediately. They were strong on the field; seeing them smile a little more doesn’t worry me. I have great confidence in them. If you don’t find motivation for a match like this, there’s something wrong. Mancini? He’s in good shape physically; the derby issue is closed. Deciding such a derby makes you a champion of the city in Rome.”
