A desired, deserved and conquered semi-final. Against everything and everyone. Daniele De Rossi’s Roma fly to the semi-finals of the Europa League thanks to two victories, both in the first leg and in the second leg, against Milan. After the match, the Giallorossi coach made some statements to Sky Sport.
There was excellence in everything this evening.
“To beat Milan, perfection was needed. They are a very strong team and a great heart was needed. Once there were ten men left, we needed to play an intelligent game. It’s a pride to be the coach of a team like that.”
Have Roma always been in control in 180 minutes?
“It was balanced, we never suffered too much apart from the last 15′ of the first leg. Today we started very well, we had something magical about us. I think it was a balanced double match and given that in recent years he has always beaten us this is also the merit.”
His players showed great dynamism on the field, even Mancini often entered from the defense. Which of all the things about tonight did you like the most?
“I hadn’t seen Mancini’s stop, I think so (laughs, ed.). He is a player with incredible technique. I’m happy with everything. I’m happy to see the goal again because I didn’t understand much about it. We brought this thing of attacking spaces a bit from everyone, apart from the goalkeeper. Everyone has the task and objective of occupying the space further forward after playing the ball. We talked about it and he likes it. Sometimes in training the defenders are even too much in attack. Mancio is comfortable in the attacking midfield and we leave him free, because no one has the defenders behind blocked by now. Then there is all their quality. If he hadn’t followed that shot into the post, there would have been other players. This also makes the difference, believing in what you do, running that extra meter. No one loses their crown if they run 2 meters more and sometimes the reward you receive is gigantic”.
On the five teams in the Champions League next year.
“The level of Italian football is high. We had a phase where we struggled in Europe, but for five years we have been doing well. There are many players who want to come and play in Italy and in environments like the Olimpico and San Siro “.
On the birth of new coaches.
“Sometimes you need to understand the opportunities, as happened to me. The Italian coaching school always produces good coaches by being ready. Just think that there are many people on the coaching course for an exciting job.”
De Rossi on Rai Sport
We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the news that arrived this morning.
“Yes, there wasn’t a best way. I was a little afraid that this news would ruin the rest of the day and I was afraid that tonight’s result would ruin the good news. We were rewarded by an exceptional match from the boys, I’m proud to be their coach. They knew how to do everything: a good start, looking for depth like in the second goal like we tried and then fighting like the great teams Real taught us yesterday, even the great teams fight.”
What are you more proud of, the 11-man team that scored the two goals or the 10-man team that defended like that?
“Of both things, they are part of the great teams. We cannot think of putting all our opponents down, we must be aware that you will encounter wonderful teams like Milan, who are trained well. He had two good games. There is a moment to know how to suffer, there was also an expulsion that put us in difficulty. Then there’s what we said, scoring the goal that would knock them out and that’s what happened. The goal gave us a great boost, they attacked us but the more time passed the less strength they had.”
Is there any particular mention of a single?
“Making mentions like this is bad, I could mention everyone, even those on the bench. I have known El Shaarawy for many years, when he was a kid he wasn’t this player, not because of me eh. He was more talent, less player, less man. What he did tonight was incredible, in the defensive phase, he defended, he took balls with his head, he started again. Really nice to see and make any coach proud.”
How much strength does this victory give in view of the semi-final?
“It gives strength. When you pass the round with Milan it means you did well, because you beat an incredible team. It gives us confidence. We will play against an undefeated and apparently invincible team. We’ll be ready, there are two races that we have to prepare for and try to cause difficulty and I think that’s something we could do.”
Tags: Proud coach team victory strength
