Daniele De Rossi and Stefano Pioli taunted each other during pre-match press conferences on Wednesday: the Rossoneri boss hit back at his colleague by saying: ‘We’ll surely play in the Champions League next season.’
Pioli hit back at Roma coach De Rossi during a pre-match press conference on Wednesday on the eve of a Europa League quarter-final second leg against the Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico.
De Rossi was the first one to talk to the media and admitted that tonight’s game would be a ‘last resort’ for Roma’s opponents.
What De Rossi said
“They will play a seasonal crossroads because the Europa League is an objective for a team built to be protagonists in the Champions League. They know they have to win because otherwise they will go out; it’s a last resort, and they will have to overturn the result,” he said.
As highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pioli didn’t look impressed and hit back at De Rossi during his press conference.
How Pioli replied
“Clearly, it’s the last resort because we have a chance to progress and qualify for the Europa League semis,” replied Pioli.
“However, next year, we’ll surely play in the Champions League and tomorrow, we’ll give our best.”
Milan currently sit second in the Serie A table and have practically guaranteed a spot in the 2024-25 Champions League.
Roma, on the other hand, sit fifth, four points below 4th-placed Bologna. The Giallorossi must play the remaining 20 minutes from their game against Udinese and can still qualify for the Champions League by finishing fifth if Italy gets an extra spot through the UEFA Coefficient Ranking.