Genoa, Italy – Daniele De Rossi is preparing to face his former club, AS Roma, this Sunday, a match carrying significant emotional weight for the Genoa coach. The encounter isn’t just another Serie A fixture; it’s a chance for De Rossi to prove himself against the team he served with distinction as a player for so many years. The match, set for 6:00 PM local time (12:00 PM ET) at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, comes after a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the Olimpico in December, a result De Rossi is determined to avenge.
“Sunday, there will be many people I care about, and I’ll want to hug,” De Rossi said during a press conference on Friday, as reported by multiple sources. “In the meantime, I send a hug to Dybala, but Roma are very strong even without him.” The sentiment underscores the complex emotions surrounding the match, a blend of personal connection and professional ambition.
De Rossi Acknowledges Dybala’s Absence, Focuses on Genoa’s Performance
The upcoming match is complicated by the absence of Roma’s Paulo Dybala, who underwent arthroscopic surgery. De Rossi extended his well wishes to the Argentinian forward, stating, “I hug him as I did when he became a father.” Dybala is expected to be sidelined for nearly two months, a significant blow to Roma’s attacking options. Despite Dybala’s absence, De Rossi remains respectful of Roma’s overall quality, acknowledging their strength even without a key player.
De Rossi’s focus, though, remains firmly on his Genoa side. He addressed concerns about injuries within his own squad, providing updates on Sebastian Otoa and Brooke Norton-Cuffy. “I still don’t know if they’ll be called up. The positive news is that they’re doing much better, and we have great confidence regarding all the injured players,” he stated. The coach also confirmed that Baldanzi will miss the match, but expressed optimism about his recovery timeline, believing he won’t be out for an extended period.
Reflecting on the December Defeat: A Low Point for De Rossi’s Genoa
The December encounter at the Olimpico clearly left a mark on De Rossi. He described it as “our worst match since I’ve been here,” despite acknowledging Roma’s strength. “What we lacked was the reaction,” he explained, suggesting a lack of fight and resilience from his team. He contrasted this performance with Genoa’s ability to respond to challenges posed by other strong opponents, such as Napoli and Atalanta, highlighting the need for a more determined showing against his former club.
De Rossi emphasized the importance of playing at home, hoping to recreate the passionate atmosphere he experienced at the Stadio Ferraris earlier in the season. “I’m glad to play this game at home, because the last memory I have of the Ferraris is of a warm, enthusiastic stadium, close to its team and celebrating,” he said. He hopes to harness that energy to inspire his players and secure a positive result.
Team Spirit and Preparation: Genoa’s Approach to a Crucial Match
Beyond the tactical considerations, De Rossi highlighted the importance of team spirit and camaraderie within the Genoa squad. He mentioned a team dinner organized the previous evening as evidence of the positive atmosphere. “This is a team that trains hard and is doing well. I’m happy if they have fun and spend time together. You’ll see things I can’t coach,” he noted, acknowledging the importance of the players’ personal connections.
De Rossi also touched upon the need for his players to be mentally prepared for the challenge. “We need to be ready for everything on Sunday, against strong teams you can’t create mistakes,” he stated. He stressed the importance of focusing on earning points and avoiding a repeat of the lackluster performance in Rome.
Looking Ahead: Genoa’s Fight for Serie A Survival
This match against Roma takes on added significance given Genoa’s position in the Serie A standings. The team is battling to secure its place in the league, and every point is crucial. De Rossi acknowledged the pressure, stating, “I’m focused on bringing home the points.” He also revealed his approach to player selection, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing winning, even if it means taking risks.
The coach also provided insight into his assessment of individual players, including Amorim, whom he urged fans to be patient with, drawing a parallel to Baldanzi’s initial adaptation period. He also discussed Malen, a Roma player he admitted he hadn’t fully remembered the qualities of, emphasizing the need for Genoa’s defense to be prepared for his threat.
De Rossi concluded by reflecting on his personal connection to the match, admitting that the defeat in Rome was the only time since taking over as Genoa coach that he felt a sense of disappointment when looking in the mirror. “I returned home and asked myself some questions,” he confessed, underscoring the importance of this Sunday’s match for both professional and personal reasons.
Genoa will need a strong performance to overcome a formidable Roma side, but with De Rossi at the helm and a determined squad, they will be looking to secure a vital victory in their fight for Serie A survival. The match promises to be a captivating encounter, filled with emotion, tactical intrigue, and the desire for redemption.
Next Up: Genoa travels to Verona for their next Serie A fixture following the match against Roma. The team will be looking to build on their performance against their former manager’s side and continue their climb up the league table.
