De Rossi on Roma dismissal: anger but no bitterness

Daniele De Rossi has given an interview to Cronache di Spogliatoio, with the full version to be released tomorrow at 13:00. The former Roma captain spoke about his dismissal in September 2024, saying: "I was furious. I had my 'enemies' and I felt beaten in a battle I didn't have time to fight. But I never wanted to show I was bitter about it. I only did that once in a press conference at Spal and I regretted it. I've worked hard on those things." De Rossi's tenure at Roma ended after just four matches in 2025, a difficult conclusion to his association with the club where he spent his playing career as a one-club legend. He reflected on the emotional toll of the role, particularly the intensity surrounding matches against Lazio in the Derby della Capitale. He described the psychological weight of derby fixtures, saying he would spend three days beforehand feeling unwell, with teammate Dacourt supporting him through the ordeal. De Rossi expressed regret over how his time at Roma concluded, stating: "My history with Roma wasn't perfect, but it didn't deserve an ending with loose ends."

Paolo Marcacci's weekly ratings roundup highlights Paulo Dybala's perfectly struck free-kick against Cannes in a friendly, earning top marks for technical excellence regardless of the opposition's standard. Donyell Malen has returned from his recent World Cup commitments with renewed hunger for goals and prominence in Roma's attacking play, while Devyne Rensch is already showing signs of sharpness and remains underrated heading into official fixtures. Pierluigi Gollini's position as second-choice keeper warrants reflection from the club. Matías Soulé's fitness condition drew specific mention from Gasperini in a recent press conference, with Soulé appearing among those most behind pace during the Cannes match—though this observation carries no bearing on ongoing transfer considerations. Angeliño's search for match sharpness requires respectful patience rather than unsolicited commentary. The wider ratings reflect concerns about Italy's national team setup under new management, with political interference in sporting matters undermining both the sport itself and public confidence.

Walter Sabatini, former Roma sporting director, has backed Santiago Castro's arrival at the club, calling the attacker a modern player with strong technical abilities and mentality. Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Sabatini expressed his admiration for Castro, saying: "Castro is very strong. I have always admired him since his first friendlies with Bologna when he arrived. He plays for his life on every ball, with great temperament and he also knows the technical solutions to find the goal. I like him, he is a fighter. A modern player, he fights for every ball, even for second balls. A perfect player, congratulations to Roma, he will do very well." Sabatini highlighted Castro's work rate and versatility as key strengths for Roma's attacking setup. The 21-year-old striker, signed from Bologna in the summer, brings the intensity and technical quality the Giallorossi sought in their forward line. His willingness to engage in physical battles and compete for loose balls aligns with the demands of modern Serie A football. Sabatini's endorsement carries weight given his long experience identifying talent during his time overseeing Roma's transfers.