In the round of 16 of the Europa League between AS Roma and Brighton, two coaches with a special connection meet. Daniele De Rossi is currently enjoying impressive success in Serie A. He learned from his counterpart: Brighton coach De Zerbis.
That’s how it is with good interns. You explain the work to them and let them in on the secrets of the job. Then they get going – and, hey presto, they pass you. This is the fate that threatens Roberto De Zerbi. As a coach in Brighton, the Italian had his compatriot Daniele De Rossi look over his shoulder when he was looking for a job.
Today the 2006 world champion praises: “De Zerbi was completely open with me. He showed me all his books and data sets and gave me advice.” As a thank you, De Rossi could knock AS Roma De Zerbi and Brighton out of the Europa League in the round of 16.
Roma won six of their last seven league games
Because while Brighton is currently going through a bit of a crisis in the Premier League, De Rossi has made a breathtaking start as the new coach in Rome. Since the Roma idol took over for José Mourinho in mid-January, things have been going well for the “Giallorossi”. Won six of seven league games, only losing the game against league leaders Inter Milan after a strong performance. In the Europa League, Roma made it to the round of 16 against Feyenoord Rotterdam.
The move from Mourinho to De Rossi was a turning point, not least in terms of playing style. While his predecessor liked to park the bus in front of the goal, the new one loves the beautiful game, forward-oriented football. De Rossi wants his team to dominate.
What this can look like was recently seen in the 4-1 win against AC Monza, who had previously been considered a surprise team. A game in which Rome hardly gave their opponents time to breathe for an hour, with pressing and vertical combination play.
De Rossi sparked the passion for the game
The new De Rossi Roma have scored 20 goals in seven league games, more even than Inter Milan, the current Serie A benchmark. A deeper look into the statistics shows Rome’s new enthusiasm for the game. De Rossi has almost doubled the goal rate compared to Mourinho (1.6 goals per game) (2.9) and improved the average points from 1.45 to 2.57.
Despite his strong start in Rome, De Rossi warns: “We are only fifth and have not achieved anything yet.” The fans are still happy because their club is getting a taste of the Champions League places again a month and a half after the coach change.
Not everyone expected it that way. Because De Rossi’s dream start at the club he loves is in stark contrast to his entry into the coaching job a year and a half ago. At that time, the 117-time national player took over Spal Ferrara in the second division and was fired after 17 games. The novice trainer only managed three wins.
“I’m not stupid”
When he was introduced in Rome in January, De Rossi freely admitted: He knew that he was not brought in as the new coach because of his performances in Ferrara. But because his name was supposed to help calm the heated mood after the expulsion of Mourinho, who was popular with many fans.
“I’m not stupid,” said De Rossi, adding in a combative tone: “I’m not starting out as a mascot, but as a coach. No matter what the circumstances are, I want to take advantage of this opportunity.”
He has done so impressively so far. The “Gazzetta dello Sport” writes about a “Rivoluzione De Rossi”, a “De Rossi revolution”. It starts with leadership. “I treat my players first and foremost as people, not just as footballers,” says the coach.
De Rossi lets the stars blossom again
This worked wonders for Lorenzo Pellegrini, among others. The captain and national player was relegated to the second tier by Mourinho and had to sit on the bench for weeks. Apparently because Pellegrini refused Mourinho the vassal loyalty he demanded.
Now, under De Rossi, the Roman native is once again the undisputed leader of the team. With five goals and three assists, Pellegrini has been the most successful scorer among midfielders in the five largest European leagues since Mourinho’s departure.
Chris Smalling is also back as the central defender. Mourinho had publicly pilloried the injured Englishman after one of the many defeats. “Smalling ruined my season,” complained Mourinho, suggesting that Smalling wasn’t doing everything he could to get healthy quickly.
The former England international then received hate messages from Roma fans. De Rossi has reintegrated Smalling into the team. The former Man United player thanked him with good performances after his long injury break.
The new coach also held a protective hand over Romelu Lukaku after several goalless games. The Belgian striker thanked with goals and assists. But Paulo Dybala experienced the greatest improvement in performance.
The injury-prone Argentine world champion can finally play through several games without any problems. Coincidence or not? Under their new coach, Roma trains much more intensively; hardly any training session is shorter than two hours.
De Rossi as a “chameleon in terms of tactics”
But De Rossi has so far not only impressed as a humanitarian, motivator and detailed training planner, but also as a football strategist. “He is a chameleon when it comes to tactics,” writes the “Corriere dello Sport” and means that as a compliment.
Sometimes De Rossi plays with a four-man chain, sometimes with a three-man chain, while in attack Roma usually comes with a trio, sometimes with a duo. The order in the game is almost always correct. In terms of goals conceded, Roma are almost as good under De Rossi (1.3) as they were under Mourinho (1.2).
“Wanted to avoid Brighton”
A development that gives AS Roma fans hope before De Rossi’s duel with his teacher De Zerbi. Even if De Rossi himself says: “Brighton was the fate I wanted to avoid.” Because of the footballing strength of the “Seagulls” and not just because of the friendship that has now developed between the two coaches and their families.
When the De Rossis last visited the De Zerbis in London, the two daughters went to watch football together in a Roma club on the Thames. Now in the round of 16 of the Europa League, De Rossi suspects that De Zerbi’s daughter “probably won’t wear her Roma scarf”.