Series A
‘Dybala, this is what champions do, Roma do not fear Brighton’
Daniele De Rossi hails Paulo Dybala after a hat-trick allowed Roma to beat Torino, noting ‘that is what nice gamers do,’ and warns they’ve ‘nothing to worry’ from Brighton.
The unimaginable kind continues since changing Jose Mourinho on the bench, successful all however certainly one of his Serie A matches in cost and reaching the Europa League Spherical of 16 after a penalty shoot-out victory over Feyenoord.
The coach did make a couple of modifications from Thursday’s conflict, most notably the primary begins in his tenure for Chris Smalling and Evan Ndicka, whereas he additionally switched to a 3-5-2 formation.
“I advised Rasmus Kristensen that it’s by no means over with Torino, they don’t quit,” De Rossi said on DAZN.
“In a approach, I like successful while you undergo to the tip, however on the opposite we must kill video games like this off earlier, as a result of Toro will press you continuous.”
It was Dybala who took the headlines and the match ball dwelling, finishing a hat-trick within the 3-2 victory over Torino.
“Champions are decisive on this sport and no one can doubt that. It was a balanced first half, as a result of Torino trigger issues for everybody, and we knew it’d be powerful after taking part in 120 minutes on Thursday.
“We did some good issues, scored on the 40th and conceding instantly after that might knock anybody down, however as a substitute we got here again properly.”
Roma have gained all however certainly one of their Serie A video games below De Rossi, however a constant theme can be that they concede plenty of targets.
“The primary was an incredible objective from Duvan Zapata, you’ll be able to solely applaud that. In the event you analyse all of the targets, you see that there’s at all times one thing that may be achieved to keep away from them, however think about how boring if all video games ended 0-0!
“That is what nice gamers do, they rating any such objective. On the second, we might cease the ball coming in from the by-line with larger focus, however we’re engaged on it.”
De Rossi had used the 4-3-3 formation since changing Mourinho, however went to 3-5-2 this night for the primary time.
“We have been constructing from the again with 4 to attract out Torino’s wing-backs and create the area. I had requested Mancini, Smalling and Ndicka to do the identical they usually did properly.
“Smalling’s damage needed to be handled additionally on an emotional degree. He’s an distinctive lad and an incredible skilled who actually wished to get again on the sphere. He performed properly and I actually didn’t anticipate him to final so long as he did right this moment.
“I additionally actually favored that Lukaku got here on and did what he does. Azmoun did properly too, however at that second I wanted a striker like Romelu who might maintain up the ball.”
This end result places Roma solely 4 factors adrift of fourth place and properly within the hunt for a Champions League spot.
Roma are within the Europa League Spherical of 16 in opposition to Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton and Hove Albion, so what does De Rossi anticipate?
“It’s a robust and balanced aspect with a coach who stays the most effective. Nevertheless, Roma don’t have anything to worry, as a result of we’re each massive as robust.
“Perhaps some video games are simpler to arrange than others and Brighton would possibly trigger me a couple of sleepless nights, however we’ve to search out the best options.
“I doubt Roberto was very proud of the draw both. We get alongside properly and we talked the primary day, however that’s all. I at all times attempt to copy from the very best and he is likely one of the finest.”
#SerieA | @OfficialASRoma, #DeRossi: “Sapevamo che sarebbe stata dura, abbiamo sofferto fino alla positive. #Dybala? I campioni sono decisivi in questo sport. Il @OfficialBHAFC mi leverà qualche notte di sonno, è una squadra complicata” https://t.co/sVl3C4tOlC
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 26, 2024
