De Rossi solves Dybala mystery and outlines Roma future

Daniele De Rossi reveals why Paulo Dybala was substituted against Genoa, makes no Romelu Lukaku promises and explains what kind of players he wants at Roma next season.

The Giallorossi have mathematically locked down sixth place in Serie A, because Lazio were held 1-1 by Inter and Lukaku’s goal allowed them to beat Genoa 1-0 this evening.

Even if Lazio catch Roma on 63 points in the final round of the season, the Lupi have a superior head-to-head record, so will finish above their city rivals regardless.

“We tried to play a little tighter, a bit more density in midfield, as we conceded too many counter-attacks last time, but had so many shots from the edge of the box that were off target,” De Rossi told DAZN.

“It was tense. Genoa are a good team, they played like it was the most important match of the season and I really like that, it means we are changing in Italy.

“My lads showed they have a gigantic heart, because it was not easy to take the lead after going down to 10 men with a moment of magic from a champion.”

Lukaku received a yellow card for taking his shirt off during the goal celebration, so will be suspended against Empoli.

As Roma cannot afford to buy him outright from Chelsea, it means this was probably the Belgian’s final appearance for the club.

Will De Rossi do everything to keep Lukaku in his team?

“I will do everything I can to make this team better, but every year a coach sits down with the President and directors to discuss how to improve. There are budgets and parameters to respect, as do all clubs now, but we haven’t talked about what we will do yet.

“We’ll try to build a Roma that can finish higher up the table. I always said Roma are a team who ought to compete for the top four. It’s not guaranteed, of course, as Inter, Milan and Juventus are superior, but we have Lazio, Napoli and Fiorentina behind us, all strong teams.

“The top four is where Roma were for many years and I don’t believe there are this many teams clearly stronger than us. We just need to be more consistent.”

De Rossi looks to Roma future

Although currently sixth is valid for a place in the Europa League, there is a possibility that it could be worth the Champions League.

However, that is only if Atalanta win the Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday and La Dea finish fifth in Serie A.

There was confusion when Dybala came off the bench only to be substituted again 25 minutes later. Was it a tactical choice to defend the lead when down to 10 men, or was it a fresh muscular injury?

“Dybala was absolutely fine, he didn’t have more than 30 minutes in his legs, but it was purely a tactical issue. Gila introduced Ankeye and so I wanted to put on Rasmus Kristensen, who had a few more centimetres, to defend the lead,” assured De Rossi.

The focus now turns to the future and, as he only took over from Jose Mourinho in mid-January, this is De Rossi’s first pre-season planning stage at Roma.

“I get called by a thousand agents, journalists, they ask me if I want this or that player. I haven’t had time so far to look around too much, but we did a bit of amateur scouting at home, me and my staff.

“Let’s just say I have clear ideas on the characteristics this squad is lacking in and needs. Some players will leave and we need to find the right alternatives, with a list of 10 we can’t expect to have the top ones, and then see how they fit into the current group,” concluded De Rossi.

“I have already said this is a strong squad. It doesn’t have many players who dribble, who can take men on in wide areas. These are also the players who caused us the most problems, for example Frimpong for Bayer Leverkusen.”