De Rossi previews Roma return with Genoa: ‘No revenge, I’ll be happy if we score’

Roma legend Daniele De Rossi has shared his thoughts ahead of his return to the Stadio Olimpico with Genoa on Monday night, and though things ended on a sour note for him as a coach last season, the former Giallorossi captain says that there is ‘no desire for revenge’. 

Roma will host Genoa in the capital on Monday evening, which will be De Rossi’s first trip back to the Stadio Olimpico since being dismissed as Giallorossi head coach in September 2024. 

Both sides, for varying reasons, are in need of the three points on Monday night. Roma are aiming to keep their place in the top four after a defeat against fifth-placed Juventus last week, while Genoa are hoping to avoid slipping into the relegation zone. They are currently in 17th, two points in front of Verona, who have a game in hand. 

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Saturday afternoon, De Rossi was able to share his thoughts ahead of his Olimpico return. 

He says that there is no point in hiding his affection for Roma and insists that there are no hard feelings after his sacking last year. That said, he will not hide his joy if his Genoa side come away with victory on the night. 

“We leave football to one side in normal life. There’s been a lot of talk about the game, maybe a little too much,” De Rossi said when asked about the game during his pre-match press conference. He made the trip back to Rome briefly over the Christmas period. 

“It’s a game against a team and I’ve already explained how much they mean to me. Denying it, or making it some sort of taboo would be ridiculous,” he continued. 

“I want to make a good impression, but there is no desire for revenge. My staff and I wake up every day with the sole objective of saving Genoa. That’s our only mission.” 

Will De Rossi celebrate if he wins on Monday? 

“I don’t like players who change teams 20 times and then never celebrate. Out of respect, I will have to keep some composure, but I’ll be happy if we score goals.” 

And what does he feel is behind his special relationship with the Giallorossi supporters? 

“Respect from the Roma fans comes because I never lied to them. If I had to call out players on the pitch, I didn’t shut up. If I had to argue with the referee, I argued. Listen, if we score in the 90th minute, I won’t celebrate like when Cristante scores in Udine. I will have a little composure out of respect.” 

There was also a word of praise for current Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini from one of his predecessors. 

“Gasperini will be an example for any team I go and coach,” De Rossi said. “He was the first to bring back a type of football that had started to be forgotten about. He made it more offensive and more modern. He’s a great point of reference. 

“We’ve spoken in the past, not this week though. There is respect on my part, we have friends in common. We spoke when he first went to Roma. I have respect for him, professionally and as a person.”