Daniele De Rossi previewed Genoa's visit to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday at 20:45, two days after Roma's display against Real Madrid. De Rossi, now managing Genoa, acknowledged that facing Roma again would help him approach the match with greater detachment than when he prepared for their fixture last season. "The fact that I've already played against Roma can help me be a bit colder," he said, "but the real difference is that I prepared the first leg poorly and the second one better."
De Rossi highlighted Roma's strength compared to December of last year. "The value of Roma has grown compared to that of December. It's an incredibly strong squad," he stated. The Genoa manager reflected on Roma's recent vulnerability from set-plays, having conceded three goals from corners. However, he placed the issue in broader context: "There are statistics that say 30% of goals come from set-pieces, so it's not just a Roma problem. We always want to take advantage. Last year when we were badly placed in the table, we benefited from situations from set-pieces. Roma, though, is in good shape, has jumpers and a goalkeeper like Gollini. Sometimes it's also a matter of chance."
Despite Roma's defensive frailties at set-pieces, De Rossi's overall assessment of their recent performance was emphatic. "Yesterday, beyond the details on set-pieces, I saw a truly frightening squad," he concluded.
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Daniele De Rossi, now managing Genoa, has praised Roma's significant improvement since December, describing their recent performance as "truly frightening" despite a disappointing result. Ahead of Genoa's visit to the Olimpico, De Rossi acknowledged that Roma have strengthened considerably and possess an "incredibly strong squad" with both aerial threats and goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini. He noted that facing Roma for a second time as Genoa manager will help him approach the fixture with greater tactical detachment than his first preparation, which he admits was weaker.
The Genoa boss contextualised Roma's recent defensive vulnerabilities from set-pieces within broader football statistics, noting that approximately 30 per cent of goals across the sport come from such situations rather than this being solely a Roma concern. De Rossi highlighted that Roma, unlike Genoa last season when they benefited from set-play opportunities while struggling in the table, are currently in strong form and well-organised in defence. His overall assessment remained emphatic: beyond the specifics of set-piece management, he observed "a truly frightening team" in Roma's recent display.
De Rossi also reflected on his recent period at Genoa, voluntarily stepping back from social media to avoid criticism, choosing instead to walk around the city where he encountered only support and encouragement—sentiments he said he would remember forever.
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Testo Originale / Source Text
“Antivigilia della partita tra Roma e Genoa in programma sabato alle 20.45 allo stadio Olimpico. Daniele De Rossi ha presentato la sfida in conferenza stampa. Queste le sue parole: "Come la partita dell'anno scorso, l'ho preparata come le altre ed ero concentrato sulla gara. Forse il fatto di aver…”
Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.
