10.04.2024 11.00pm by Marco Campanella
Source: by the correspondent in Milan, Luca d’Alessandro
These are the words of Daniele De RossiRoma coach, in a press conference on the eve of Milan-Roma:
San Siro?
“I wanted to revisit him again: I was sorry to have taken over with Roma who have already played at San Siro, but fate brought me back there. He exudes glory, he has seen great nights of football and we are happy to be here.”
Differences in playing away or at home first?
“The difference has narrowed, sooner or later you have to play and you have to be ready. You have to be good at preparing the match, knowing that there are two of them.”
Smalling?
“He’s fine, tomorrow we’ll be short of center backs. Playing from the start is perhaps a bit risky, but we’ll see. He’s fine, he trains hard like everyone else. We’re satisfied with his work to get back into the team. I’m happy” .
Are you thinking of something in particular?
“No, we are aware of who Milan are and that they can hurt us. You have to know how to arrive at the right moment, know how to move. If someone is lucky enough to coach Paulo, you have to ask him for sacrifice and running, but without distorting him. They too will be afraid of us. Paulo had 9 duels in the derby, fighting like the leaders. For me it means a lot, when you see players like this doing this and with enthusiasm we are calm. Then it’s up to me to give him instructions, but without making him run after Theo.”
What do you fear about Milan? Have these months changed you?
“I fear the quality of the players and their coach, who I have known for years, about Milan. He has always evolved and kept up with the team he had. The team is harmonious, minus a few months of difficulty, but they have recovered. Courage is needed and character to bring them to play where they don’t know. How have these months changed me? I’m very happy, I realized that the usual fatalism of Roman fans including myself brought me here. We need to realize how lucky we are, every now and then we feel sorry for ourselves Almost everything in my life went well.”
Do you feel on par with Milan?
“There won’t be the weight of the ranking, but the gap of recent years must be recognized. We have to play for the semi-final, having everything to lose. We’re not here to make an appearance. In the championship you can draw, but not here. We have to try to win from tomorrow , or in 7 days in Rome”.
Did you have to calm down the post-derby enthusiasm? How is Mancini?
“I said to keep our feet on the ground, often in the past it seemed like we had won 10 games, but with them there was no need. There was joy, but on the pitch they went strong, they listened to me. Seeing them laugh at It no longer makes me think about the fact that they are not ready for tomorrow. If you don’t find motivation to play tomorrow, something is wrong. Mancini is fine, we have all accepted the fine. We will also do charity work, matter closed. He is fine and it cannot be otherwise “.
