Roma manager Daniele De Rossi expressed his content with the team’s summer transfer business ahead of tomorrow’s massive league showdown against Juventus.
In the final hours of the summer transfer market yesterday, the Giallorossi signed highly-coveted midfielder Manu Koné from Borussia Mönchengladbach and welcomed Alexis Saelemaekers on loan from Milan.
“We’ve raised the team’s level of quality, and I’m happy about that,” De Rossi told the media this afternoon.
“I am very pleased with Koné and Saelemaekers; I like them both. This team was missing someone like Koné; we needed to add some muscle to the midfield, something I had asked for several times last season.”
“Though, we’re a bit short in defence. Something unexpectedly cropped up and the deal with [Kevin] Danso would’ve made me extremely happy.”
Still looking for their first victory, the Giallorossi will travel to Torino to take on Juventus this Sunday evening. The Bianconeri have had a strong start under new manager Thiago Motta, winning 3-0 in both of their first two games of the season.
“Thiago Motta is a friend, we don’t speak all the time but it’s always a pleasure when we see each other. He’s proving to be a great coach not only with his results and playing style, but also for his magic touch,” De Rossi stated.
“Juventus had an impressive, albeit very expensive, transfer market and they’re achieving result with young players. When you face Thiago, you can never let your guard down.”
Adding, “It will be a tough match, but we are capable of putting in a great performance.”
De Rossi also addressed the midweek controversy that arose when a report from RAI claimed he was involved in a heated training spat with midfielder Bryan Cristante then Gianluca Mancini.
“The only truth is the argument with Bryan, but it was blown way out of proportion—it lasted maybe 10 seconds,” he revealed.
“It was a normal disagreement. The report was very exaggerated and spoke about a physical altercation, which is a very serious matter. I might have to file a lawsuit; making up lies about my profession is not acceptable.”
