Daniele De Rossi insists Juventus “are not on another planet and Roma must absolutely try to finish in the top four,” while hinting at his MLS future.
They host Chievo on Sunday at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Daniele De Rossi insists Juventus “are not on another planet and Roma must absolutely try to finish in the top four,” while hinting at his MLS future.
They host Chievo on Sunday at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“Juve are not on another planet, although they are certainly stronger than the rest of the pack in Serie A,” the Roma captain told Il Romanista newspaper.
“On a financial level, they can afford to make investments that none of the other Italian clubs can. In that sense, they are travelling on separate tracks.
“However, we all play on the field and I think it’s safe to say Juve struggled against Chievo and Parma so far this season.”
The Giallorossi aren’t even considering a Scudetto push, but know their target is the Champions League places.
“We must absolutely try to finish in the top four, as that is our level. We must confirm our status as Champions League regulars.
“After that, we’ll see where we are, but if we win them all and lose the head-to-heads with Juve, we’ll only be six points off. We can’t go around thinking that they are on another planet. We have to believe in the miracle, otherwise we lose motivation.”
De Rossi recently signed a new contract with Roma, despite interest from the likes of Inter and various MLS clubs.
“I don’t want to leave the fans with bad memories of my performances. I wouldn’t feel bad about leaving Roma at the age of 35 and having two years in America. I would’ve felt like scum if I had left two years ago to join another Italian club, though.
"I do want to experience America, but I can do it as a player or on vacation, which I already did this summer. Similarly, I can experience Boca Juniors as a fan in the stands or on the pitch.
“There will be a final game. There has to be. That day when Francesco Totti retired, I thought: ‘Sooner or later, it’ll be my turn too.’ I saw him really struggle, it was tough.
“That whole day was very Romanista: strong emotions, touching, deeply-felt, but it had to be. It’s tough seeing your friend who you see as a player every day and suddenly he isn’t in that locker room anymore.”
De Rossi’s Roma passion shows through to his family, even if his wife didn’t entirely agree.
“I wanted to name my son after Agostino De Bartolomei, but I’d already chosen the name of our daughter and it was my wife’s turn for the son. Perhaps Agostino De Rossi would’ve been a bit much.”