Roma eliminates Milan and flies to the Europa League semi-finals again!
Here’s what Mister De Rossi said after the match.
We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this day, after the news arrived this morning (confirmation by the Owners, ed.).
“There was no better way. I was a little afraid that this good news would ruin the rest of the day, because we only had to think about that, and I was afraid that tonight’s result could ruin this good news.
Instead, we were rewarded by an exceptional game from the boys. I’m really proud to be their coach, because they really knew how to do everything: they knew how to make a good start, playing quite well, they knew how to look for depth like on the occasion of the second goal, which was kind of what we tried, and then they knew how to fight like the big teams: Real Madrid taught us this yesterday, the big teams must know how to fight, when they are down to 10 men or when there is a moment in which the opponent, who is very strong, attacks.”
What are you most proud of: the 11-man team that found the advantage or the one that, with 10 men for more than an hour, was able to defend itself?
“Of both, because both are part of the great teams, of the great rides. We cannot think of putting all our opponents down for the whole match, because you have to be aware that you are facing wonderful teams like Milan, who are trained well, who for me played two good matches, both the first leg and the second leg. .
There is a time when you have to suffer. There was also an expulsion which put us in more difficulty than we already were, because we had started well. And then we played our game, because maybe a goal would have knocked them out. And perhaps, mentally it was like this: it gave us a great boost.
They continued to attack well, but as time passed the less strength they had.”
Do you want to make a special mention for any player that you want to do tonight?
“It’s bad to make mentions like this: I could really mention everyone, even the players on the bench were crazy. I have known El Shaarawy for many years, and he – not because of me – when he was a kid he was not this player: he was very talented, but he was a little less of a player. Very nice as a player, but less of a man, also due to his age. And what he did tonight was incredible, both in the defensive and offensive phases: he gave us depth, he took balls with his head, he started again, he created opportunities for us. It was incredible stuff to see, it would make any coach proud.”
How much strength does the qualification obtained in this way give you in the prospect of facing the German champions?
“It gives strength. When you pass a round, eliminating Milan means that you did well, because you beat an incredible team. It gives us confidence. We play against an undefeated and apparently invincible team.
We will be ready, because there are only two games we have to prepare for, and not the other fifty that they haven’t lost. We will try to put them in difficulty. I think that’s something we could do.”
Tags: Rossi Exceptional match proud team
