Mancini celebrates Roma's Champions League qualification with emotional reflection
Match Report·24 May 2026·1h ago

Mancini celebrates Roma's Champions League qualification with emotional reflection

Source: Forza Roma

Gianluca Mancini spoke to media after Roma secured Champions League qualification following their victory against Verona. The defender expressed overwhelming emotion at the achievement, saying: "There is huge euphoria, it is a group victory. We said it to ourselves inside, even when people wrote us off." Mancini highlighted the turnaround in Roma's final five matches, which proved decisive in finishing third with 73 points and earning a place in Europe's elite competition.

Roma endured a difficult spell earlier in the season but recovered strongly under their manager's direction. Mancini emphasized the collective effort and the unity within the squad, noting that senior players including Pellegrini, Cristante, Dybala, El Shaarawy, and Celik had remained committed despite previous disappointments. He reflected on past European campaigns—Europa League semifinals and finals—that had fallen short, making this Champions League qualification particularly significant. The club's label as a mid-table team has now been shed following consistent performances and a strong finish to the season.

Mancini described his emotional state: "My heart is racing. It would make me cry, but I won't. I played 11 matches under suspension but every match was important and I had to be careful. When the tempo rises and the level increases, I couldn't and didn't want to miss." He credited the manager's tactical approach and the group's reaction to setbacks as key factors in their success, particularly highlighting Roma's dramatic 2-goal comeback against Parma as a turning point that signaled the season's direction.

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Le sue parole: "C'è tantissima euforia, è una vittoria del gruppo. Ce lo siamo detti dentro di noi, anche quando ci davano per spacciati" Redazione 24 maggio - 23:27 La Roma è al Bentegodi: l'arrivo del pullman giallorosso allo stadio Gianluca Mancini ha parlato ai microfoni di Dazn al termine della vittoria Champions contro il Verona. Queste le sue parole: Siete in Champions, vero? "Sì, siamo in Champions! Ora il sorriso c'è". Come è il clima nello spogliatoio? "C'è tantissima euforia, è una vittoria del gruppo. Ce lo siamo detti dentro di noi, anche quando ci davano per spacciati. Nelle ultime partite abbiamo fatto penso 5 vittorie. Il mister ce lo aveva detto, bastava fare un filotto nelle cinque ultime partite: ci abbiamo creduto. Stasera è stata una partita difficile, come è giusto che sia, contro un Verona tosto. Ma ce lo meritiamo e siamo felicissimi". La Roma ha vissuto diversi momenti difficili quest'anno, ma la squadra è sempre rimasta attaccata al campo e lei è stato uno dei leader di questo gruppo. "Abbiamo passato un periodo brutto, ma se guardiamo al campionato lo hanno passato tutte le squadre. La nostra dedizione al lavoro, all'allenamento, al seguire il mister e al crederci sempre ci ha portato lontano, a fare 73 punti e ad arrivare terzi. Altre squadre magari il momento brutto lo hanno avuto adesso, noi siamo arrivati al rush finale benissimo con giocatori recuperati e forti che ci erano mancati. Il gruppo, l'ho sempre detto, è bellissimo. Dopo l'anno scorso sono rimasti in tanti e sono arrivati dei ragazzi nuovi top. Io, Pellegrini, Cristante, Dybala, El Shaarawy, Celik che siamo da tanto tempo qua ne abbiamo sentite tanti nei nostri confronti, ma il nostro amore per questa maglia, per questa società e per questi tifosi l'abbiamo portato dentro di noi, prima di noi. Siamo sempre stati lì, gente che si allenava stando male. Io ho giocato con mille dolori per questa maglia, per non mollare di un centimetro. Semifinali, finali di Europa League... non riuscivamo ad arrivare a questo traguardo della Champions League. L'anno scorso siamo arrivati a un punto, quest'anno abbiamo fatto un qualcosa di unico e speciale. Sfido i pochi che ci credevano, oltre a noi. Noi ci abbiamo creduto, ora festeggiamo e ci meritiamo di stare nella competizione più bella". Avete tolto l'etichetta della squadra del sesto posto. Ha fatto uno step di crescita ulteriore: ci racconta le sue emozioni, in questo momento e nella stagione? "Sono emozioni bellissime, ho il cuore che va a mille. Mi verrebbe da piangere, ma non lo faccio. Ho giocato 11 partite in diffida ma ogni partita era importante e bisognava stare attenti. Quando si alza il ritmo e il livello non potevo e non volevo mancare. L'etichetta l'abbiamo sentita e vissuta, ma questo gruppo di questi ragazzi ha vinto un trofeo e fatto finale e semifinali di Europa League andando a un passo dal vincerla. L'anno scorso a un punto, siamo sempre stati lì. Quest'anno le sensazioni erano sempre super positive per il gruppo, per come ci allenavamo, e per come ha detto il mister per come reagivamo alle sconfitte. Abbiamo reagito da grande squadra e grande gruppo, alla lunga paga. Le ultime 5 partite sono state importanti per noi. Quella di Parma è stata la partita più bella della stagione a livello emozionale, quando vai a vincere partite così a tre giornate dalla fine scatta qualcosa dentro come a dire 'questo è l'anno giusto'. Fare due gol al 92' succede poche volte, ci ha dato lo slancio per il derby e per arrivarci in maniera eccezionale. La scorsa domenica ho fatto una roba assurda, me ne renderò conto tra qualche anno. Sono felice soprattutto per i miei compagni e per il mister, che da luglio ci ha dato le sue idee e lo abbiamo seguito fin da subito. Finisce una stagione bella e importante con un grande traguardo". © RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA Commenta Continua la lettura Commenti Invia Commento Tutti Leggi altri commenti

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