Great text portraits of AS Roma homegrown heroes Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Florenzi, released by AS Roma ahead of the Derby della Capitale. Done by the creatives at Roma Radio, they featured the thoughts of the players ahead of the derby and what it means to them personally.
“I know what Roma fans feel at a derby, because when I was a kid I had the privilege to experience that feeling amongst them. I was and will always be a Roma supporter. And the derby will always represent a special match for me. Things change, when you become a footballer, and experience becomes fundamental in managing to keep control of your emotions. Winning a derby means giving your fans and your city immense joy: and celebrating with them is that Great Beauty we all know about.”
Francesco Totti
“My first derbies as a player were in a sense the tail end of those I experienced as a fan: the city comes to a halt and it throws in an insane mix of emotions. And keeping those emotions pinned down isn’t at all easy. You need to strip yourself of everything. All that needs to remain is the intensity and concentration: but in the end, the fans’ intense support is something that always enters your heart.”
Daniele De Rossi
“For any Roman and Romanista, whether in the stands or on the pitch, the derby will never be a match like any other. As a football player, the derby is a challenge within the challenge: it’s about letting those emotions fire you up. The secret is to avoid getting burned.”
Alessandro Florenzi
