Despite a stoppage-time loss at the Olimpico, Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi praises his team’s identity, courage, and growth.
Genoa left Rome empty-handed, but not discouraged. A dramatic 3–2 defeat against Lazio — sealed by a penalty in the 100th minute — denied Daniele De Rossi’s side a deserved result, yet the Genoa coach focused firmly on performance rather than points.
“From this match we take zero points, but the feeling is completely different compared to last Sunday,” De Rossi said after the game. “On the pitch we were a very good team against another very good team. Lazio were desperate for redemption, and we stood up to them. I don’t think we deserved to lose.”
After equalizing 2–2 at the Olimpico, Genoa refused to settle. “Many teams would have started wasting time,” De Rossi explained. “Instead, the players went looking for the third goal. I think that’s the DNA of Genoa — I’ve been in those shoes myself. A draw would have been fine for us, but football is like this. We start again from the performance, which was clearly better than last week.”
De Rossi also spoke about his relationship with the squad and his approach on the bench. “I try to be close to the players and help them,” he said. “I can’t please everyone by making them all play, but I’m always there for them. As a coach, I haven’t changed much — maybe I’m a little calmer verbally than I was as a player.”
The former Roma captain stressed that his identity remains intact. “With more time, I’ll be able to say many more things and change some details. But I don’t want to change too much, and I don’t want this job to change who I am. I love this work, even on bittersweet nights like this.”
De Rossi remains confident about Genoa’s potential. “Playing like this, points will come. We need to put our most talented players in the right conditions, because we have quality in this squad.”
Finally, De Rossi addressed the atmosphere of the match, played behind closed doors. “For me it was a normal game — not a derby. It would have been nice to see a full stadium and hear some chants. I always said that away crowds motivated me even more as a player. I didn’t feel rivalry tonight, but I hope one day to coach the real derby — against Sampdoria.”
For Genoa, the table shows nothing gained. But under De Rossi, belief and identity appear firmly on the rise.
