Daniele De Rossi praises Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen for ‘deservedly’ reaching the Europa League Final, but warns Roma’s head-to-head with La Dea tomorrow will be ‘crucial.’
It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
They are currently locked together in fifth place, the last spot available for Champions League qualification, and La Dea have a game in hand against Fiorentina that will not be played until June 2.
“We know how important this match is for us and for them,” De Rossi told the official Roma social media channels.
Both sides played on Thursday in the Europa League semi-final, but while Atalanta eliminated Olympique Marseille 4-1 on aggregate, Roma went out 4-2 to Bayer Leverkusen.
“Atalanta are in good shape, but also probably the only team who played more games than we did this season. We could feel the fatigue at times, but we prepared the best way we could in just 48 hours since the emotionally and physically intense encounter with Leverkusen,” continued De Rossi.
“Obviously, we would’ve preferred to be in a similar state of mind as Atalanta. They deserved to reach the Europa League Final, whereas we did not. I think we did very well, both legs could’ve gone differently with a bit more luck, but the best team got into the Final.
“That is a different tournament, we have to shrug off the after-effects and remember how much is at stake in this match.”
Roma look to De Rossi
De Rossi was asked how the Roma players reacted to that 2-2 draw in Leverkusen, considering they had been leading 2-0 and were on the verge of forcing extra time?
“Obviously, they were distraught, because we were all square on aggregate a few minutes from the end. They played well, but the Leonardo Spinazzola injury changed our gameplan.
“Even when acknowledging the quality of your opponent and giving them credit, it still irritates and leaves a sense of injustice when conceding that fortuitous own goal. The lads are calm, but have faith for the future, as we played on level terms with one of the best teams in the world right now.”
Paulo Dybala was only on the bench for that game due to a muscular problem and hasn’t even made the trip to Bergamo with the rest of the squad.
“I have two or three doubts for my line-up caused by fitness levels, as there are players with a lot of games in their legs, but we also know for the first time we won’t have another for five or six days afterwards.
“This is going to be a decisive match, we must try to win. If we don’t, there will be other opportunities, but it could be a crucial moment.”
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been in Bergamo for eight years and truly moulded the team into his image, while they have also qualified for the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus on May 15.
“Gasperini is one of the most innovative coaches and his style has now inspired so many. He will be remembered as someone who changed football by giving a new, modern approach to something that already existed,” explained De Rossi.
“I remember when I was still a player asking if I could watch Gasperini’s training sessions, because I already had in mind becoming a coach in future. Atalanta are unique and inspired many coaches.”
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