Daniele De Rossi admits the Champions League play-off with Porto “really could change Roma’s season and mentality going forward.”
The first leg is tomorrow night on Portuguese soil, with the decider at the Olimpico on August 23.
“Being here after so many years teaches me you can predict very little in August,” said the midfielder in a Press conference.
There have been huge transformations in the back four, with Thomas Vermaelen, Federico Fazio, Juan Jesus and today Bruno Peres coming in.
Daniele De Rossi admits the Champions League play-off with Porto “really could change Roma’s season and mentality going forward.”
The first leg is tomorrow night on Portuguese soil, with the decider at the Olimpico on August 23.
“Being here after so many years teaches me you can predict very little in August,” said the midfielder in a Press conference.
There have been huge transformations in the back four, with Thomas Vermaelen, Federico Fazio, Juan Jesus and today Bruno Peres coming in.
“For a side that did as well in the second half of last season as we did, it’s better to make fewer changes. The most important thing in defence is learning to move as a unit, but these players are experienced and learn quickly.
“I see no problems and remain confident we have a good back line. We haven’t trained much together, but they impressed me. I think the one who really surprised me was Leandro Paredes, as he was a kid when he was last with us, but has matured so much during his loan spell at Empoli.”
“This is new for me too, as I’ve never played in a Champions League preliminary round. I’ve had Super Cup ties in August, but the feeling really is that this result could change our season and our mentality going forward.
“It feels like a quarter-final more than a preliminary round. My teammates have a great deal of experience too, I can tell they understand the importance of the tie and so will Porto.
“The two teams will be fired up and ready to do battle with a lot at stake.”
Portugal won Euro 2016 this summer against the odds, beating hosts France in the Final, so will that boost their confidence?
“Only one Porto player was in the Final for Portugal, as many of the stars of that team play abroad, but the wave of enthusiasm in the country will certainly boost the clubs and help development. That to a small degree is what happened with Italy in 2006, we immediately felt a bit stronger at club level, even if that flame went out a bit too quickly.”
Porto have changed a great deal from last season, so who does De Rossi consider to be the real danger men?
“Being able to sell excellent players and find very talented youngsters is a strength for Porto. We have always considered the real issue to be their collective and the ability to recycle every summer, as those we don’t necessarily know as household names will certainly be up to the task.”
De Rossi had injury problems during Euro 2016, so how is he feeling after the summer?
“It’s not smart to say I’m in great shape now, as we have to see how my fitness levels hold up over some ‘real’ games. Luciano Spalletti always told me, even when I was younger, that just training well is not enough. Especially when you get ‘old’, you have to work even harder.
“I was convinced that before I was doing enough, now I need more. At club level we’ve got more time to help the recovery process.”