Two days before the Genoa-Roma match, Daniele De Rossi held a press conference to assess the players’ condition and analyze the return match against the team he led until last September.
The Rossoblu coach provided an update on the injury situation: “Norton-Cuffy and Otoa are currently training. I don’t know if they’ll be called up, but the positive news is that they’re feeling better. Baldanzi will definitely not be available, but he also gives us hope.”
“We need to understand if, and how many, risks we need to take for Brooke. We can also be cautious, even though she’s feeling pretty good.”
Attention then shifted to the significance of the match, recalling the first-leg defeat: “It was our worst game since I’ve been here, despite the mistakes we’ve made in other matches and the strength of our opponent. Roma’s quality is unmatched, but we lacked a reaction. We’ve played against teams that have put us under pressure, like Napoli or Atalanta, but we’ve always reacted.”
“We gave up a little there. It won’t be a game like the others, but I’m getting used to this situation and am focused on bringing home the points. It’s a pleasure to play this game at home because the last memory I have of the ‘Ferraris’ is of a stadium full of celebration and warmth, supporting the team.”
On Paulo Dybala’s absence: “Before matches, we make hypothetical lineups like you journalists do, and no matter how you line them up, they’re always fabulous. I’m sending a hug to Dybala, just like I did when I gave him a paternity award. I don’t know who’ll be missing, but this is a team that has proven they can beat anyone; they came within an inch of beating Juve.”
“They’re a strong team that picked up a lot of points early on, perhaps without playing too well, but now they’re resembling what Atalanta used to be. They’re a team with quality ball possession and players who can decide matches.”
On the opponent’s tactical qualities and Donyell Malen’s impact: “Gasperini did incredible things here, and then he did incredible things at Atalanta too. I think he created this Atalanta. I think he’s the great architect of that miracle, making everything even better in terms of results. Roma is a strong team and difficult to beat, also for that reason.”
“I think Malen has brought something to Roma; he embodies the type of technical player who ties the game together and is skilled in the penalty area. I didn’t remember him much; we need to be very good at marking him.”
