Derby Memories: Reflections from Those Who Played It

Giuseppe Giannini, a Roma legend and former captain, has reflected on his enduring bond with the club and the city, speaking to Sportweek about his most vivid career memories and his status among the fanbase. The midfielder, still known as the 'Prince' by supporters who recognise him in the street, discussed how his life has changed since his playing days. 'Now it's easier to take a walk with my wife,' he said. 'As a player it was impossible to go out with her or my daughters. I lived under lock and key.' Giannini emphasised the symbolic weight of representing Roma and the capital. 'Being a Roma supporter means representing the capital,' he reflected. 'Nobody can say they don't know the capital and, consequently, AS Roma.' The midfielder's most powerful memory centres on the Olimpico stadium itself, where he spent his entire playing career. 'Every time I stepped onto the pitch at the Olimpico wearing the shirt of my beloved team, it really felt like I was touching the sky with a finger,' he said. When fans approach him today, they often exclaim: 'But you are...', and he responds with a laugh: 'Yes, it's me', to which they reply: 'You're the Prince!' Giannini also named Mario Kempes as his childhood idol, citing both his style of play and his distinctive long hair, which Giannini famously wore in the same fashion during his time at Roma.

Roman radio commentators debated Endrick's future and Roma's midfield depth in their daily round-up of opinion from the Rome airwaves. Agresti reported that Real Madrid want to loan out Endrick, and that despite Roma remaining in the picture and able to offer Champions League football, the forward is currently more inclined toward Milan. He has played only 4 minutes for Madrid this season. Mourinho had blocked his departure in the summer, but Endrick wants to showcase himself, and Milan are ready to give him playing time. The club from the San Siro have close relationships with Endrick's agents and had already tried to advance the matter over the summer; they are now reassessing in light of his minimal usage at Madrid. "Tutto dipende da Mourinho e dal fatto che lasci andare il giocatore" — everything depends on Mourinho and whether he lets the player leave, Agresti said. Pugliese suggested Mourinho's intervention in blocking the deal last summer reflected poor relations with the Friedkin ownership. He noted that Cardinale has a close relationship with Roc Nation, and Rodrygo will return to the Real Madrid fold in December, creating crowded options: Díaz, Yoro, Bernardo Silva, Mbappé, Vinicius, Diomande — too many players for too few places. If Mourinho wants to help someone, Pugliese said, "Penso che Mou se vuole dare una mano potrebbe darla Amorim, non a Gasperini" — he thinks Mou could lend it to Amorim, not Gasperini. On Roma's midfield, Pruzzo said young players must be given chances despite the errors they will make. He praised Bryan Cristante for playing every match and providing equilibrium and security to the squad and to Gasperini. "Nel momento in cui ti viene meno, devi avere un'alternativa a centrocampo: la Roma ha i giocatori contati, e questo può essere un problema" — the moment he becomes unavailable, you need an alternative in midfield, and Roma's options are limited, which could be a problem. Pugliese added that Portugal are pushing for Rodrigo Mora to play for the national team in the position left by Cristiano Ronaldo; Mora is a recognizable technical talent and should grow athletically. At Como, if Pellegrini is fit, he will play ahead of Mora.

Fabián Berlanga, president of Velez Sarsfield, launched a fresh attack on Matías Soulé on the occasion of the Roma forward's debut for Argentina. Speaking from the Monumental stadium to Cadena 3, Berlanga argued that Soulé should face exemplary punishment rather than be rewarded with a place in the Argentina squad. "Soulé as Argentina's new number 10? No, he should instead face exemplary punishment," Berlanga said. "For example, permanent exclusion from the possibility of ever wearing Messi's shirt, or from wearing the captain's armband. He is not a good example." Soulé left Velez as a 16-year-old in 2019 using a legal mechanism called 'Patria Potestas', which allows parents or legal guardians of a player to terminate a club contract if the player has not signed a professional deal. The move saw Velez receive only 108,000 euros in compensation, a figure that continues to rankle the club's leadership. Berlanga's resentment centres on players departing on free transfers and what he views as unethical conduct by agents. "We don't like when young players leave on free transfers, but we know it's a battle to fight against agents who sometimes act in bad faith," he added. Berlanga has previously criticised Soulé on the international stage. Two years ago, when Soulé was called up to the Argentina squad without playing, Berlanga said: "I was at River's stadium for the Argentina-Chile match; I went to greet Flaco Gareca and, deep down, I prayed that Soulé wouldn't come on. All this makes me angry." Berlanga also referenced his own decision to respect club protocol, noting that in January he had the chance to activate a release clause for a goalkeeper but chose not to pursue it out of respect. "You have to be able to look people in the eye," he said. "I don't do those kinds of things."