Daniele De Rossi admitted he has ‘sympathy’ for Massimiliano Allegri ahead of Roma’s tense Serie A clash with a wounded Juventus, noting the need for an ‘exceptional performance’.
The Giallorossi had the wind in their sails following the former midfielder’s arrival back in January, but their mood has dipped a little over the last week following a tough 2-2 draw with Napoli and a difficult 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
De Rossi’s Roma cannot afford to lose faith at this stage as they look to secure Serie A’s fifth Champions League spot, sitting just ahead of Atalanta and Lazio. Juventus, who have been struggling for months now, can guarantee their participation in Europe’s premier club competition with a win.
De Rossi on Juventus
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, De Rossi first discussed the condition of his Roma squad after the loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
“Today we will do further analysis of our physical condition. There are some small problems that we have been carrying with us since Thursday. But we are an accustomed team, we’ve been having long journeys in Europe for years.
“Now we have to play other big matches. Today we will analyse things more accurately, but there are no real injuries.”
He shared his sympathy for Allegri amidst the criticism.
“He faces us with respect, he has made the history of Italian football and continues to lead the team at high levels. I feel sympathy for him because he played with my father. Results-based or system-based is a concept that doesn’t exist.
“I won’t even comment on it. Mourinho, Ancelotti, Allegri coach at a high level. Juve are a team that hasn’t had a very good period, but we are aware that they want to put the pin in the Champions League issue.
“We need another exceptional performance and the fans who must continue to do so push as they always have.”
De Rossi spoke about Paulo Dybala’s condition and mindset.
“I’ll meet the guys in a few hours, but I don’t really know how they are. Tomorrow morning we’ll take another half hour to finish up and do the last two or three things. Regardless of him being a former player, Paulo is fine.
“He’s sad like everyone else for the defeat, physically he is having important performances. That’s what amazes me the most, from a physical point of view.”
He was asked if Roma were prioritising Serie A or the Europa League.
“Qualification is more difficult than before, but it’s not compromised. Bayer haven’t lost for 47 games, it’ll be a tough task, but we can do it, we saw it with Roma when I played, Atalanta did it with Liverpool.
“Looking at the first leg, whatever anyone says, if things had taken a different turn, if we score a goal in the first half hour, who knows what we’re up against. We’re in the semi-finals, let’s not make calculations, it’s a dream for us and for our fans, we cannot afford to think strangely.
“The league is important, we will make choices, the same 11 cannot always play, these are choices that must be made, we will not give up on either objective.”
De Rossi remembered some of his matches against Juventus.
“I’ve played many. Once we played at Delle Alpi, we lost 2-0 or 2-1 and drew at the last minute, I think with Zebina. I was young and getting a result in such important stadiums seemed like a dream to me. Under the snow, we won in the Coppa Italia and then went through.
“I have good memories. The bad one was the match that led to Spalletti’s resignation. It was such a tough week to challenge Juventus at the Olimpico to have our fans.”
He was also asked if he’d been taught a footballing lesson by Xabi Alonso.
“I also read about my football lessons to Pioli, and it was balanced. Just as I read about football lessons to De Zerbi, but Brighton didn’t deserve to lose 4-0, just like with Tudor.
“There is very little technique management, the result obscures, it shifts a lot, sometimes perhaps the result is a pretext to advance one’s ideas, like when the journalists wanted to massacre Pioli.
“Sometimes, they are done specifically, sometimes you don’t have the tools to analyse the matches well. Having said that, they played well, they had moments in which they played very well.
“For half an hour, Roma were better, then the goal hit us, even for how we suffered, and we have to work on this at the end, we play to score goals. I’m proud of all my players, even the ones who made mistakes.”
De Rossi commented on if he has enough options to rotate his midfield and attack.
“We have alternatives in attack, I consider some players indispensable for us. The squad is built in a certain way, few players who get past their man, who go at speed, who have a devastating one-on-ones like Bayer have.
“Dybala, as long as he’s well, I’ll let him play. He’s not as fast as Frimpong but he’s fundamental for us. There are players with such strong qualities so maybe I’ll insist a little too much.
Finally, De Rossi was asked how much Roma need to follow in the footsteps of Bayer Leverkusen and their project.
“There is potential, I spoke with the Friedkins yesterday. When you talk about a model, that’s the word I used. Bayer never won anything, they have always created excellent teams, they have resold to support themselves, but they’ve worked in the right way.
“The characteristics of their fitness and techniques could be the things I will ask for in June, in the meantime we have the squad to get to the end today. I really like being used to playing against and winning in teams.
“It’s a coincidence that I hold Joao in high regard in the Primavera, but when he gets the ball, he jumps everyone and tries to shoot on goal, he’s bold. My players made a sensational effort, then in the summer they will look for certain qualities.”