Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini underlined the squad’s emotions and mindset ahead of their decisive Europa League quarter-final duel with Milan.
Pellegrini and the Giallorossi picked up a tense 1-0 win over the Rossoneri in their first leg meeting last week, giving them a slight edge ahead of the return clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. For both coaches, it could be a turning point in their futures at their respective clubs.
For Stefano Pioli, victory over Roma would be an important step to dispelling the doubters ahead of the summer. Daniele De Rossi still hasn’t been offered a new long-term deal with Roma, so progressing in the Europa League would further prove his importance.
Pellegrini on Roma mindset
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Pellegrini first discussed how he’s managing the Roma squad as their captain and why there’s been press silence recently.
“These are things that we decide together with the club, there was a particular moment of the season where I suffered from injuries, and it also affected me on a mental level. But during the season it can happen, but I was always present for Roma and for my teammates.
“It’s difficult to make the team understand how important other games are, but not tomorrow’s. We play for nights like tomorrow’s, with a stadium that will push us to give that little bit more.
“They will come here to pass the round, but Roma also want that after the excellent game in Milan. And we can replicate that if not do even better.”
Pellegrini spoke about De Rossi’s desire for the squad to show the ‘real Roma’.
“I think this is what the coach wants to convey to us, but he said that phrase more in reference to other times where it’s thought that other matches are less important.
“The coach meant that those matches allow you to arrive the following year to play against the teams that we’d like to face. It’s more a question of mentality to play both against Milan and another team in the same way.
“In recent years we’ve made incredible progress in Europe, but we’ve failed in the league. Roma are an important team that have to compete in the most important competitions there are, against teams they deserves to play against. Our goal is to bring Roma back to where they deserve to be.”
Pellegrini was asked if he sees himself at Roma for the rest of his career.
“Here I’m at home, but at the same time it’s nice because it’s a continuous challenge. You have to come to the pitch and deserve this shirt, a bit like the speech I made on the wing some time ago. I never would have thought that my career would have led to receiving this gift.
“The Roma shirt and armband is worn 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For me it is a dream to be alongside the coach. I enjoy the moment as it should be, knowing that everyone days I have to deserve the Scudetto to wear it on my chest.”
Finally, Pellegrini commented on how he’s experiencing this period.
“On a footballing level I feel good. We’re on a good path, if a few months ago they had told us what we’d be doing now, we’d all have been happy. Roma have started a path that is working, which for me is the right path. As for me, I’m happy with what I’m doing.
“I’m not satisfied because we haven’t achieved any of the goals we have in mind yet and it’s too early to be satisfied. In my opinion, we can do well, work as hard as we can we are doing and creating a path that makes us happy.”
If only there was a way for BOTH of them to lose this match!