Interviews

Gianluigi Buffon backs Roma’s decision to appoint Daniele De Rossi

Andy Mattioli
FLORENCE, ITALY - NOVEMBER 13: Gianluigi Buffon Head of the Italian National Football Delegation during FIGC Hall of Fame at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on November 13, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Legendary Juventus and Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon backed Roma’s recent decision to appoint Daniele De Rossi as their new manager.

Buffon – a close friend of De Rossi’s and one of his long-time teammates for the national team – spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about De Rossi’s return to the Italian capital.

“In such a moment, there could not have been a more suitable person for Roma than Daniele. It’s a smart move. It’s a beautiful, fascinating, perhaps a little risky adventure, like the ones I like.”

“I have almost always made choices based on my heart, guts and courage. I liked to test myself and the same goes for Daniele. It doesn’t seem like a leap in the dark to me either for Roma or for him. When you know the context and the environment well, internally and externally, you are already one step ahead.”

“You have to put a lot more into it, of course, but Daniele has a special profile as a sportsman and a man. For him it is an important opportunity and also a great responsibility.”

“Mourinho performed two miracles in Europe, but expectations were higher in the league. Surely when Mourinho proposes something in the locker room, there is a CV that speaks for him: nothing is questioned. The transmission of certain concepts will now be fundamental for Daniele: he will have to immediately prove himself credible to the team. And he will succeed, I know it.”

Match Center

MatchDay 24
9 Feb 12:30
Venezia
VEN
Roma