GIALLOROSSI YORKSHIRE BLOG
Sunday evening pits Roma and Juventus against each other in a Serie A clash that is critical to the Giallorossi's fading chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
The rivalry between the two clubs stretches far back, but that hasn't stopped some players crossing the boundaries and representing both teams. Here are 10 players who did just that in their careers. Miralem Pjanic For many fans, Pjanic's departure to Juventus is still a bitter pill to swallow. After five seasons at Stadio Olimpico, with more than 150 appearances, the Bosnian midfielder handed in a transfer request, and even paid some of his own release clause so that he could complete a transfer to Roma's rivals. Since moving north to Turin, he has won three consecutive Serie A titles. Mirko Vucinic Another player who left Roma after half a decade of service, forward Vucinic moved to Juventus for €15m in 2011. Before that, he had been part of Luciano Spalletti's successful Roma side of the mid-2000s, winning the Coppa Italia twice and the Supercoppa Italiana once. With Juventus, he was part of the first three successes of their current streak of eight consecutive league titles. Emerson The Brazilian midfielder was involved in Roma's last Scudetto success, after joining in 2000. After three more seasons in the capital, Emerson followed departing manager Fabio Capello to Juventus in 2004. His two seasons at Juventus saw back-to-back Serie A victories - but both titles were stripped in the wake of the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal. Matteo Brighi Brighi joined Juventus as a teenager with a lot of promise in 1999. However, it was only really after he joined Roma in 2004 (following a spell with Parma) that he began to realise that potential - to an extent. He spent the first three years of his time with Roma out on loan, but when he returned in 2007, he became a more regular fixture under Spalletti, coming on as a substitute in the 2007 Supercoppa and 2008 Coppa final, in both of which Roma were victorious. Jonathan Zebina Another player who was involved in Roma's Serie A triumph of 2001, French defender Zebina made 123 appearances in red and yellow, before trading the capital for Turin in 2004, following Capello and Emerson north. At Juventus, he was sometimes criticised for inconsistency, but still lasted there until 2010, staying with them for their period in Serie B. Zbigniew Boniek Boniek's Italian adventure began with Juventus in 1982, with whom he won Serie A, the Coppa Italia, the European Cup, the Super Cup, and the European Cup Winners' Cup once each. In 1985, the midfielder moved to Roma, and his experience helped the Giallorossi to the Coppa Italia in his first season. His records for the two clubs were equally impressive - with 31 goals for Juve from 133 games, and 23 goals for Roma from 92 games. Luis Del Sol A veteran of over 200 Juventus appearances when he joined Roma in 1970, Del Sol was immediately installed as captain, inheriting the armband from Spanish compatriot Joaquin Peiro. His best achievement in a two-year spell with Roma was lifting the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1972. Dino Da Costa One of Roma's greatest goalscorers of all-time, Da Costa netted 79 goals for the club across a five-year spell. His scoring exploits have stood the test of time, with none of Agostino Di Bartolomei, Rudi Voller or Giuseppe Giannini being able to match him. Da Costa left Roma for Atalanta in 1961, and two years later he was at Juventus, where he spent three years. Daniel Fonseca The last man to wear the Roma number 10 shirt before Francesco Totti, Fonseca often played second fiddle to fellow South American striker Abel Balbo. Nonetheless, he still managed 20 league goals in 65 games for Roma between 1994 and 1997. After that, he moved to Juventus, where he spent four less successful years. John Charles The only British player to ever score for Roma, Charles was more famous for his five-year stint with Juventus, where he had an extraordinary scoring record of 108 league goals in 155 games. His time at Roma was much shorter, but even though his matches were minimal, he maintained his excellent goals to games ratio - finding the net four times for Roma in 10 appearances.
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Yesterday, a team comprised of Roma legends drew 5-5 in a charity match with a team of Formula E drivers at Stadio Tre Fontane.
Among the headline acts for the Giallorossi were Simone Perrotta, Marco Delvecchio and Vincent Candela, while for the opposition, ex-Formula 1 stars Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella (himself a Roma fan) were involved. The main attraction, of course, was the chance to see Francesco Totti on the pitch again, and Il Capitano played all 90 minutes, understandably in second gear, as he demonstrated his range of skills, nutmegs and long-range passes. Even if he laughed about not getting on the scoresheet, the number 10 showed that he hasn't lost his footballing brain, and likely never will. But perhaps there was a sight to behold on that pitch even more valuable than being able to see Totti play. For Romanisti of a certain generation, it gave them their first chance to see an all-time great in Bruno Conti in action. Whilst my receding hairline indicates otherwise, I'm not old enough to have lived through Conti's playing days. However, having watched highlights videos of his great skills and goals on YouTube, and reading about his importance to the Giallorossi side that won the Scudetto in 1983, I have gained a huge admiration of the former Italy ace. If I had the chance to travel back in time to see any former Roma player in his prime, it would be him. His magnetic control of the ball, shooting technique and Roman passion, forming such a big part of Roma's heyday in the early 1980s, must have been great to witness first-hand. Thanks to that Legends match, I no longer have to dream about being able to watch Conti play. For the first time in my life, I was able to see him play in a match as it happened. Sure, it may have been through a computer screen, and it certainly wasn't him in his prime, but it was something valuable to all Romanisti, that I never thought I'd be able to witness. And what a joy it was to watch. Somehow, at the age of 64, Conti moved about the pitch easier than men 20 years younger than him. Always on his toes and with a smile on his face, he epitomised what football, at its most simple level, is all about. And, unlike many of his teammates, he actually took the game pretty seriously. There were skills, impressive touches, ambitious long-range shots... Conti was relishing every minute of being back in that Roma shirt. Every time he touched the ball brought a smile, laugh or a cheer. There was almost something surreal about it. Here he was, one of the best players in the club's history, kicking a ball about nearly 30 years after he retired, making fools of people a generation younger than him. He was loving the experience, and so were the crowd. I'll never be able to see Conti play live, in his prime, but watching him in the Legends match was the next best thing. He remains a symbol of Roma's glory days, one of the most recognisable faces to have represented the club. He's a player that every Roma fan, young or old, should appreciate, and yesterday, for one more time, there was the opportunity to do just that.
10th April, 2018 is a date that no Roma fan will ever forget.
It was the date on which the Giallorossi pulled off one of the most miraculous comebacks in the history of the Champions League, as they dominated five-time winners Barcelona to reach the semi-finals for the first time since the competition changed its name from the European Cup. It was the date on which the unthinkable became reality. For a team of Roma's size to overcome one of the biggest clubs in Europe, whose lineup featured two of the very best footballers of all-time in Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, alongside several more stars of the modern game, was beyond even the most optimistic fan's wildest dreams. But there was something about that night that felt like it was destiny for Roma to win. When Edin Dzeko opened the scoring six minutes in, it didn't feel like an ordinary goal. It felt like a platform for Roma to build on. It was the spark they needed to believe in a most unlikely victory. The players ran back to their own half, ready for kick-off. It was clear already that the Lupi weren't there to make up the numbers. Even if everyone had already written them off, they had a game to win, and they weren't going to stop until it was impossible. They proved that night that it wasn't impossible. They approached the game with the right hunger and desire. It was generally accepted that they had been unlucky to lose 4-1 in the first leg. The game had been much closer than that, and conceding two own goals was extremely unfortunate. But nobody could have predicted the way they would go about the return fixture. For once, in the second half, luck was on Roma's side. They were correctly awarded a penalty after Gerard Pique brought down Edin Dzeko in the penalty area underneath the Curva Sud. There was only one man who was going to take the spot kick: the inspirational captain Daniele De Rossi. De Rossi may have been nearer the end of his career than most of his teammates, but that didn't mean he couldn't dream as well. After more than 15 years of service to his beloved club, DDR was more determined than anyone to record another remarkable achievement. As he began his run up for the penalty, his eyes were fixed firmly on the ball. He had the focus of the consummate professional that he was, is, and always has been. He could make no mistake from that spot kick. 2-0 Roma. Eusebio Di Francesco's side had a little over half an hour to get the one more goal they needed to write their names in history. The fans in the Stadio Olimpico had been singing all through the night - they didn't need anyone to tell them it was possible to believe - and their voices were only getting louder, as the chances of completing the comeback became ever-more realistic. With eight minutes remaining, it couldn't have got any more real. Roma won a corner, and Cengiz Under delivered the ball to the near post. Watching the movement of the ball every step of the way was Kostas Manolas, and he timed his run to perfection to get into the space. He had a clear view of the ball, but still had a lot of work to do. Arching his neck, he connected with the ball, sending it across goal. A second later, it dropped into the net. The Stadio exploded.
The buzz around the last 10 minutes was palpable. The crowd were one body, willing Roma on for the final push they needed. At the start of the night, the focus had been on scoring. Now, for the last hurdle, they had to switch their attention to keeping the ball out of their own net.
That they managed to do, and the scenes upon the final whistle were incredible. The squad and coaching staff raced around the pitch in excitement, trying to make sense of the significance of what they had just achieved. They had controlled the game against a side far superior in quality to them, sealing the perfect win and ensuring their European adventure would continue. And the remarkable thing was, they hadn't got lucky. They fully deserved to win in the manner they did. It was an atmosphere like no other. No supporter wanted to leave the venue. This was a magical night and they wanted to live every moment of it, to share it with the players who had done them so proud.
Even outside the stadium, the jubilant atmosphere continued. The city was alive that night. Car horns were blaring in celebration, fans on the streets screaming 'FORZA ROMA' as loud as they could. Flags and scarves were waving out of the windows of people's homes. Everyone was a part of it. It didn't matter if people had met before; everyone was celebrating together that night.
One year on, it still feels dreamlike. There are so many questions that still don't have a clear answer - most beginning with the word 'How'. How did it happen? How was that possible? How wasn't it a dream? But it wasn't a dream. It was all real. It was a monumental event that can never be taken away from this club and its fans. Through the highs and the lows, the memory of that extraordinary April night will live on. As the players who were part of that miracle leave one by one, they will still remain a part of Roma's history, for the scale of what they achieved. Every single one of them will be remembered for the part they played. The story of 10th April, 2018, will live on in the hearts of every Romanista across the world, serving as a reminder of what is possible when the belief is there. That result was colossal, on a level that is unlikely to be matched for a long time. Rome was the centre of the world once again. It's a story of a team who never gave up. A story of a squad who refused to listen to the odds. It's a story of a club whose history has been filled with ups and downs; but that night, they created a positive to outweigh every negative that had gone before. They won a football match that nobody thought they could. But it was far more significant than that. They brought joy to their people, who hadn't felt it for such a long time. That night, they made themselves heroes. The weekend saw the senior Italy debut of Roma's brightest prospects, Nicolo Zaniolo, increasing the already healthy number of internationals in the Giallorossi's present squad.
Many of those internationals are experienced players who arrived at Roma having already pulled on the national shirt dozens of times. However, Roma has proven to be successful in developing young talent, and helping those that have not yet featured on the world stage develop into important players for their countries. These are the 10 most recent players who were given their international debuts during their time at Roma. Nicolo Zaniolo (March 2019, Italy) This season has seen Zaniolo emerge as one of Italy's most important players for the future, and national coach Roberto Mancini has been aware of his potential all along. Zaniolo was given his first Italy call-up before he had even made his Roma debut, or even played at U21 level internationally, but didn't get to spend any time on the pitch. Since then, he has grown to prominence even further with impressive goals in Serie A and the Champions League. The humble midfielder finally got to make his senior Italy debut on Saturday, entering as a late substitute against Finland. It surely won't be the last time he plays for the Azzurri. Leandro Paredes (June 2017, Argentina) A player whose stock rose significantly during his time with Roma - thanks also to a fundamental loan spell at Empoli - Leandro Paredes arrived at the club in 2014 from Boca Juniors in his native Argentina. In his final season with the Giallorossi before departing for Zenit St Petersburg, the midfielder impressed, making 41 appearances in all competitions. At the end of that campaign, he was rewarded by Jorge Sampaoli with his senior Argentina debut - a full six years since his last youth international appearance, at U17 level. Paredes marked the occasion by scoring in a 6-0 win over Singapore, but he left Roma less than a month later. Alessandro Florenzi (November 2012, Italy) After a season-long loan with Crotone had given Alessandro Florenzi the experience he needed to kick on his professional career, the midfielder returned to Roma intent on nailing down a place in the first team. That he was able to achieve, and three months into his first season back in the capital, he was selected by Cesare Prandelli for the senior national team. Whilst injuries have disrupted his progress in his later career, Florenzi remains an integral part of the national setup, and has more than 30 caps to his name. Panagiotis Tachtsidis (November 2012, Greece) Making his international debut on the exact same day as Florenzi, the midfielder, who was 21 at the time, made his Greece bow against Republic of Ireland. He spent a sole season at Roma, making 23 appearances in all competitions, but beyond that, he still remained in the eyes of his national selectors enough to warrant a place in their 2014 World Cup squad. Leandro Castan (October 2012, Brazil) It still feels like a case of what might have been with Leandro Castan. The Brazilian defender was imperious for Roma in his maiden campaign in Italy, which saw him called up for the world's most successful national team for the first time. Sadly, he only made one more cap, before a cavernoma was discovered in his brain that would keep him out of action for months. It was a long road to recovery for the left-footer, and he was finally released by Roma last year. Since, he has fortunately been able to find regular playing time again, in his homeland with Vasco da Gama. Mattia Destro (August 2012, Italy) Mattia Destro was a player whose light shone brightly for a short period of time, before he disappeared into mediocrity. After a 12-goal season for Siena in 2011-12, the striker was snapped up by Roma for an eight-figure sum. Sixteen days after making the transfer, Destro was given his Italy debut in a friendly against England. Seven further caps would follow over a two-year period, but he missed out on a place in the 2014 World Cup squad, and only played seven minutes of international football after that. Fabio Borini (February 2012, Italy) Fabio Borini made his Italy debut against the USA, midway through the season he spent on loan at Roma. His goalscoring exploits - he netted 10 times for the Giallorossi across the campaign - earned him a place in the nation's squad for Euro 2012. However, he did not play at the tournament, in which the Azzurri reached the final. Dani Osvaldo (October 2011, Italy) Three months after joining Roma from Espanyol, Argentine-born Dani Osvaldo seized his opportunity in the absence of some of Italy's main forwards. The controversial striker had previously represented Italy - the country of his great-grandfather's birth - at U21 level, and made the step up to senior international football in a victory over Northern Ireland. Jeremy Menez (August 2010, France) Two seasons with Roma had brought 69 appearances for then-23-year-old Jeremy Menez, and Laurent Blanc gave him his first start for France in a friendly with Norway. The winger featured heavily for his national team over the next two years - during which time he left Roma for PSG - and earned a place in their Euro 2012 squad. Max Tonetto (June 2007, Italy) Max Tonetto's one and only Italy cap came in June 2007, as he started at left-back against Faroe Islands in a qualifier for the next summer's European Championships. The Azzurri won 2-1 through a Filippo Inzaghi brace. Even though he lasted the full 90 minutes in that game, and went on to win the Coppa Italia with Roma the following season - the campaign in which he made the most appearances of his career with over 50 - Tonetto was never capped by Italy again. He retired in 2010, having made just shy of 300 appearances in Serie A. The current international break has already seen a pair of Roma players tick off some notable landmarks, with Edin Dzeko becoming the first player to ever reach 100 caps for Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Nicolo Zaniolo coming on for his senior Italy debut.
However, throughout Roma's history, not all of the club's best players have also shone on the international stage. Legends such as Roberto Pruzzo - the club's second highest goalscorer of all-time - and Sebino Nela - one of the greatest defenders to ever represent the club - both made less than 10 international caps. Indeed, several Roma greats never got to pull on the international shirt even once. Here is a lineup, in a 4-4-2 formation, of iconic Roma players who were never capped by their countries at senior level. GK: Fabio Cudicini (Italy) Despite being widely heralded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Fabio Cudicini often found himself behind others in the pecking order for the Italian national team. A Coppa Italia winner with Roma in 1964, Cudicini also impressed at club level with AC Milan, where he is a member of their Hall of Fame. DF: Domenico Maggiora (Italy) Making more than 100 appearances for Roma in a six-year spell in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Domenico Maggiora won the Coppa Italia twice with the Giallorossi. He moved to Sampdoria in the summer before Roma's Scudetto-winning season of 1982-83. DF: Armando Tre Re (Italy) One of Roma's earlier captains, Armando Tre Re's leadership was never called upon by the Italian setup. He played in Serie A for eight seasons, also having spells with Livorno and Napoli, but was relegated twice - once with Livorno and once with Roma - never featuring in a side that finished higher than sixth. DF: Sergio Andreoli (Italy) The man who preceded Tre Re as captain, Sergio Andreoli won Serie A with Roma in his first season with the club, back in 1941-42, but his young age at the time meant he didn't attract the attention of the national team. DF: Emidio Oddi (Italy) Joining Roma in the summer after they had won their second Serie A title, left-back Emidio Oddi played a big part in helping the side reach the European Cup final in his inaugural campaign in red and yellow. He stayed at the club until 1989, but was never considered for international selection. MF and captain: Agostino Di Bartolomei (Italy) Perhaps the most famous of them all to have never been capped, iconic former Roma captain Agostino Di Bartolomei played in Serie A for over a decade. The playmaker led Roma to their second Scudetto in 1983 and also featured in three Coppa Italia-winning sides and the team which lost the 1984 European Cup final to Liverpool. Italy's neglect of him remains one of the most questionable topics in calcio history. MF: Giorgio Carpi (Italy) Giorgio Carpi was one of Roma's founding players in their debut campaign of 1927-28, and went on to spend a decade with his hometown club. He never scored for Roma, but was still an important enough figure to earn a place in the Hall of Fame in 2017. MF: Rodrigo Taddei (Brazil) A player who was successful for Roma in a number of different positions, winger Rodrigo Taddei was eligible to play for either the country of his birth, Brazil, or, through his citizenship, Italy. However, despite making more than 250 appearances for La Magica and winning three trophies during his time in Rome, he was never called up by either national setup. MF: Odoacre Chierico (Italy) Roman-born Odoacre Chierico enjoyed a successful career with Roma, spending four years with the club during the heyday of the early 1980s. Once a Serie A winner and once victorious in the Coppa Italia, the winger was an important man for Nils Liedholm, but he evaded the attention of then-Italy coach Enzo Bearzot. FW: Arturo Chini Luduena (Argentina) Arturo Chini Ludena had dual nationality allowing him to represent either Argentina or Italy, and he did play for the latter at B level. However, even though he scored more than 50 goals for Roma, the first foreign player in the club's history was never given a senior call-up. FW: Rodolfo Volk (Italy) Another member of the first ever Roma squad, Austrian-born Rodolfo Volk recorded a vast array of impressive achievements with the Giallorossi. He scored the first ever goal in the Derby Della Capitale in 1929, as well as scoring the first official goal at the legendary Campo Testaccio stadium the same year. He was prolific for Italy's B team, scoring five goals in as many matches, but was never given the opportunity to prove himself for the first team. Subs (all Italy apart from Panto - Argentina): Luigi Brunella (DF), Stefano Desideri (MF), Cesare Augusto Fasanelli (MF), Paolo Pestrin (MF), Miguel Angel Panto (FW), Maurizio Iorio (FW), Giuliano Taccola (FW) Saturday sees Roma take on Lazio in the hotly anticipated second Derby Della Capitale of the season. It's a game like no other, where time stands still and full commitment is needed from all players. It's a game where a hero can emerge, sometimes out of nowhere, and be the man to lift his side to victory against their bitter rivals. Over the years, it hasn't taken long for some players to make their mark on the Derby. And what better way is there to endear yourself to your new fans by scoring the first time you face their enemies? Here are 10 players who did just that by scoring in their first Rome Derby appearance. Rodolfo Volk (1929) The legendary striker - one of only six players to have scored more than 100 goals for the club - wrote his name in eternal folklore by scoring the winning goal in the first match ever played between Roma and Lazio. The game, which took place at Lazio's Stadio Rondinella, ended as a 1-0 win to Roma, thanks to Volk's 78th-minute strike. The first ever Derby had been won by the red-and-yellow side of the city. Fulvio Bernardini (1930) One man who wasn't involved that historic day was Fulvio Bernardini - although the iconic midfielder returned in time for the reverse fixture, in which he scored the Lupi's first goal. Roma's first ever home Derby, contested at Campo Testaccio, also ended in victory, this time by a 3-1 scoreline. Piero Pastore had put Lazio ahead, but Bernardini levelled things up to ensure Roma did the double over their opponents at the start of a historic rivalry. Arne Selmosson (1958) Swedish striker Selmosson was one of the few players brave enough to directly cross the city divide, joining Roma from Lazio in 1958. He quickly got his new fans on side though, by scoring less than 10 minutes into the first Derby of the season in November. At the time, he was the only player in history to have scored for either side in the Derby - an achievement which went unmatched until Aleksandar Kolarov's goal for Roma against the Biancocelesti earlier this season. Pedro Manfredini (1959) Pedro Manfredini was a goal machine right from the beginning of his time with Roma. The Argentinian came to the club in 1959 and hit the ground running. When Roma hosted Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in October that year, Manfredini opened the scoring just two minutes in - before adding a second 40 minutes later. He even went one better the next season, becoming one of just five players to ever score a hat-trick in the Derby in a 4-0 win. Vincenzo Montella (1999) The Italian forward always stepped up for the Derby - only three players have scored more in the fixture over the years than him - and it was no different in his first. After joining the club from Sampdoria in 1999, Montella scored a brace as Roma thumped Lazio 4-1 at the Olimpico. It was the first of eight Derby goals for L'Aeroplanino - four of which, of course, came in one match, in March 2002. Mancini (2003) Roma left it late to beat Lazio in the first Derby of the 2003-04 season, but they did so in some style. Summer signing Amantino Mancini opened the scoring, and it was no ordinary finish. He found the net with an exquisite backheel as he latched onto Francesco Totti's free kick. It remains one of the best goals ever scored in the Derby, and set the Giallorossi on their way to a sweet victory. Julio Baptista (2008) Once again, the bragging rights went to Roma in the season's first Derby in 2008-09, and another new arrival was the difference. 50 minutes in, Julio Baptista rose to send the ball into the bottom corner with a deft header back across goal. The stadium erupted as the deadlock was broken, and Roma held on to clinch all three points. Edin Dzeko (2015) Edin Dzeko's first season at Roma was a shadow of what he would go on to achieve with the club, as he struggled for form in front of goal. However, he did put the right foundations in place to become the Roma legend that he later would, by scoring in both Rome Derbies that season. His first goal was in the 2-0 win in the 'home' fixture, coming from the penalty spot 10 minutes in, before Gervinho wrapped up the victory. Stephan El Shaarawy (2016) In the reverse fixture the next April, Roma ran riot, outclassing their rivals in a 4-1 win. Stephan El Shaarawy had begun his life in Rome on fire, having sealed a January move to the capital. He continued his fine goalscoring run by giving his side the lead in the 15th minute, before Dzeko, Alessandro Florenzi and Diego Perotti (also playing in his first Derby) went on to round out the impressive triumph. Lorenzo Pellegrini (2018) After returning to his boyhood club in the summer of 2017, Lorenzo Pellegrini would have been looking forward to featuring in a Rome Derby. Unfortunately, he was an unused substitute in both clashes with Lazio that season. However, he finally got his chance in the seventh matchday of the present campaign, and he certainly took it. On the stroke of half-time, the midfielder opened the scoring in Roma's favour with a cheeky backheel after finding a space beyond the goalkeeper. What a way to make your mark on the Derby Della Capitale. Who's next? Nicolo Zaniolo didn't take part in that Derby, but has now established himself as a key part of the team. He's quickly proving himself as a sharp shooter, so will he be able to bag his first Derby Della Capitale goal at the weekend? Or - as has often been the case in these games - will an unlikely hero emerge from elsewhere? Could Justin Kluivert rise from the shadows to put Lazio to the sword? Or perhaps a more defensive player, like Rick Karsdorp - if he is fit enough - might be the one to make a difference? It could be anyone's game, but looking at this list of players, the squad will need little inspiration as they once again look to take all the points from their greatest rivals.
On Saturday 23rd February, 2019, Daniele De Rossi wore the Roma captain's armband for the 200th time.
Roma ran out 3-2 winners over Frosinone thanks to a late Edin Dzeko goal. The reverse fixture back in September had been De Rossi's 600th game for the club, and once again, a match against Frosinone was a significant occasion for the Rome-born defensive midfielder. It marked another impressive milestone for the club legend, who stands second in the Giallorossi's all-time appearance charts. De Rossi has dedicated his entire career to Roma, and for most of that time, he has been a crucial part of the team's leadership hierarchy. De Rossi's performance against Frosinone was far from his best. However, he did play a pivotal role in the winning goal, sending a superb long ball over the top with his weaker left foot, which went right into Stephan El Shaarawy's path. The winger crossed for Dzeko, who bundled it home. Even when he has been off the pace, De Rossi can still find a way to inspire his team to much-needed victory. He is a born winner and refuses to give up. That's what has made him such a great leader over the years. De Rossi's achievement of wearing the armband 200 times is even more remarkable considering he has only technically been the official club captain for one-and-a-half seasons now. The presence of Francesco Totti in the team meant that, despite De Rossi's strong leadership characteristics, he was always, naturally, second in command. Given the nickname of 'Capitan Futuro' long before he assumed the role of captain, De Rossi was always the go-to man when Totti was absent - particularly in the later years of the King of Rome's career. Few players in football history have served so honourably as a vice-captain for such a long period of time. The n0ble De Rossi understood his position. He complimented Totti's leadership style and helped the team to have a big voice in all areas of the pitch. De Rossi first wore the captain's armband in March 2006, at the age of 22. It was the second leg of Roma's UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie with Middlesbrough. Luciano Spalletti's side had lost the first leg 1-0, and went behind in the second leg as well. Mancini scored a brace to give Roma the win on the night, but they were eliminated on away goals. Nevertheless, that day will still go down in Roma history, as the first time one of the club's all-time greats led the side out. A little over two years later, De Rossi got to captain the side in a cup final, as the Lupi beat Inter to win the Coppa Italia for the second year in a row. Unlike the previous season, Totti was not involved in the match, so it was De Rossi who got to act as the club's symbol at the Stadio Olimpico, leading the side to a 2-1 triumph. Unfortunately, to this day, it remains the last trophy that De Rossi and Roma won. A great leader deserves to have won more honours after all the commitment he has given and quality he has shown, but that doesn't lower him in the estimations of his supporters. He remains a club idol. As the years went by, De Rossi continued to ensure that Roma were not without leadership in the absence of Totti. Having such a loyal pair together for so long is something that every Roma fan should be proud of being able to witness. One day, the time would come for the latter to move on from his playing days. It was a bittersweet time for De Rossi, who finally got to shed the 'Futuro' part of his nickname, but would no longer be playing with his long-time teammate and friend. De Rossi is a model professional though, and he inherited the armband with class. His first competitive game in his new official role was the 1-0 win over Atalanta at the start of the 2017-18 season. His performances that year varied in quality, but in the second half of the season, he really started to step up and use his leadership to take Roma into uncharted territory. He was a crucial part of the side's run to the Champions League semi-finals. On the miraculous night of the 3-0 win over Barcelona in the second leg of the quarter-finals, De Rossi was immense. He set up the opening goal for Edin Dzeko with a trademark aerial pass, before holding his nerve to score the second from the penalty spot in front of the Curva Sud. True leaders step up when the pressure is at its highest, and De Rossi has always known how to do that. This season, he has continued to flourish as captain, more than a decade on from when he first wore the armband. Now with over 600 Roma appearances to his name, he has cemented himself as a club legend, and one of the Giallorossi's best ever captains. In the game prior to the Frosinone win, against Bologna, De Rossi had come on as a substitute. Captain for the day, Alessandro Florenzi, threw the armband in his direction, but DDR sent it straight back with a look of disgust. De Rossi doesn't need an armband to lead. After all those years as a vice captain, it should have been obvious. De Rossi isn't arrogant enough to demand the armband. He's still a humble servant who puts side before self. And that only adds to the respect that he commands. But nonetheless, it still looks a whole lot better when the armband is on De Rossi. Even now, the team tend to function much better with him in the starting lineup. He remains the beating heartbeat of the team, even if he has the odd off-day. He continues to fight for every lost cause, to inspire his teammates to work harder, and to step up and take responsibility when his team need him most. He guides his hometown club with passion, grit and determination. In many ways, De Rossi is the epitome of what it means to be a captain.
We are now three quarters of the way through the January transfer window, and Roma are yet to make any alterations to their squad.
Despite concern among the fanbase that Roma are a little bit light of quality in certain positions - notably centre-back - Monchi hasn't made a move, and as time ticks on, it's starting to look like Roma might not do any business at all. In years gone by though, the January transfer window has been a fruitful time for the club. Several big names have come in midway through the season and made an immediate impact. Here are five of the best. 5. Zago (1998) One of the cornerstones of Roma's victorious Serie A season in 2000-01, Brazilian centre-back Antonio Carlos Zago initially joined the club from Corinthians in the 1997-98 season. Zago soon found himself in Zdenek Zeman's starting lineup, making his debut in a 3-1 win over Lecce on 11th February. Often featuring alongside compatriot Aldair, he started 11 of the 13 remaining Serie A fixtures thereafter until the end of the campaign. Zago continued to be a regular presence across the next three seasons, culminating in the 2001 Scudetto triumph. He left Roma in 2002, having made more than 100 appearances. 4. Stephan El Shaarawy (2016) The 2015-16 season was a tale of two halves for Roma, and Stephan El Shaarawy's January arrival was one of the key factors in inspiring a strong end to the campaign. Signed on an initial loan from Milan, El Shaarawy injected more pace into the side, with Gervinho leaving for China the day after. The Italy international made an immediate impact, scoring a sensational volley with the outside of his boot on his debut. El Shaarawy concluded the season with eight goals in 17 games for Roma, who did not taste defeat in Serie A following his arrival. His transfer was made permanent that summer, and although he has since drifted in and out of form, the influence he had when he first joined the club cannot be denied.
3. Hidetoshi Nakata (2000)
The gifted Japanese midfielder joined Roma from Perugia midway through the 1999-2000 season, debuting in a 3-1 win against Verona. Nakata made 15 appearances across the second half of the campaign, as Roma finished 6th. The year after, Roma would win their third ever Serie A trophy, with Nakata playing in around half the matches. He was inspirational in a May clash with Juventus, scoring one goal and taking the shot that led to the ball being parried out for his side's second, as Roma came from behind to draw 2-2. If Roma hadn't fought back for that point, Juventus would have finished ahead of them in the standings. Nakata moved on to Parma at the end of the season, but had ensured his place in Roma folklore by contributing to the title win. 2. Radja Nainggolan (2014) The dynamic but controversial Belgian midfielder joined in the winter window of Rudi Garcia's first season in charge of Roma. With Michael Bradley leaving for Chievo, Roma brought Nainggolan in on a €3m loan from Cagliari, that would become a co-ownership deal and eventually a permanent signing. 'Il Ninja' made 20 appearances in his debut year, quickly assuming an important role in the side. His best season for Roma came in 2016-17, when, deployed in an attacking midfield role by Luciano Spalletti, he scored 14 goals - many being long-range spectaculars - in 53 games. The number four endeared himself to the Roma faithful thanks to his tireless energy on the pitch, covering immense amounts of ground, and his attacking output with his powerful strike. Nainggolan's summer 2018 move to Inter - which came against his wishes - was met with a mixed reaction from fans, although it now seems clear that Roma got the better side of the deal. Even as his career declines though, the passion with which Nainggolan represented Roma will be remembered as one of the club's best stories of the decade. 1. Vincent Candela (1997) A modern day Roma hero, wing-back Candela originally came to Italy in 1997, joining from Guingamp in his native France for his first stint abroad. Aged 23 at the time, he quickly settled in at Roma, making his first appearance in a February victory over Bari. Always an attacking threat, Candela scored his first two goals for the club in a 4-3 win against Verona that March, including the 89th-minute winner. Candela and Roma were a match made in heaven. He made just shy of 40 appearances the following season, at the end of which he won the World Cup with France. In 1999, Fabio Capello replaced Zeman as head coach, switching to a 3-4-1-2 formation that saw Candela deployed slightly higher up the pitch. The role suited the Frenchman perfectly, and in 2000-01 the biggest rewards came, with Candela missing just one league game as Roma clinched the title. The wing-back contributed three goals along the way.
Another trophy followed that summer, as Candela scored the opener in a 3-0 win over Fiorentina for the Supercoppa Italiana. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, Candela controlled it beyond an opponent before letting fly with a long-range strike into the bottom corner. He was also the driving force behind the third goal, linking up with Francesco Totti while surging up the pitch, before seeing his shot parried into Totti's path, for his captain to delicately convert.
Candela slowly started to slip out of the first team picture in 2003, and left the club in January 2004, joining Bolton Wanderers on loan. With 280 appearances, 16 goals and two trophies to his name, he left as a definite success, earning his place among legends in Roma's history.
On 21st January 2019, Roma lost one of the greatest players in their history, as Pedro Manfredini died at the age of 83.
Roma's highest-scoring foreigner of all-time, Manfredini came, saw and conquered in his six-year spell with the club, by the end of which he had cemented his place in the club's folklore. One of the great goalscorers to have pulled on the red-and-yellow jersey, he made sure to leave his mark on not just Roma, but the whole of Italian football. Born in Maipu, Argentina in 1935, Manfredini began his playing career with Racing Club de Avellaneda, a club based in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in 1957. After impressing in South America, where he helped his side to the 1958 Primera Division and consequently earned his first international call-up, he made the move to Europe in 1959. Roma spent 78 million lire on the then 24-year-old, with the deal completed on 22nd June. Joining a side who had just finished sixth in Serie A under the stewardship of another great striker, Gunnar Nordahl, Manfredini was teaming up with the likes of Arne Selmosson, Dino Da Costa and Alcides Ghiggia. Despite the intense competition for places in the attacking line, it didn't take long for Manfredini to prove his worth to new coach Alfredo Foni. Debuting in the season opener, a Coppa Italia game against Cagliari, Manfredini scored inside the opening 20 minutes to set Roma on their way to victory. It was the start of many good things to come. Despite missing the first three league games of the season, Manfredini continued the good start to his career in Italy when he scored four minutes into his Serie A debut. Roma lost 3-1 to Fiorentina that October afternoon, but Manfredini's opener had shown that he was a valuable addition to the team and that he could score against the toughest opponents. The following week, Manfredini was in line for his next appearance, and it was another early test of his credentials, as Roma contested the Derby Della Capitale with Lazio. Once again, Manfredini was quick off the blocks, opening the scoring just two minutes in. He added a second just before half-time, before ex-Lazio man Selmosson sealed a 3-0 victory for the Giallorossi. Manfredini's debut season in Rome ended with 16 goals from 24 league games, in addition to the one he had scored in the Coppa. His campaign included braces against Inter, Juventus and Sampdoria, among others. His prolific form ensured he was Roma's top scorer that season, while he finished an impressive sixth in the Serie A goalscoring charts. The striker proved the next year that his debut campaign with Roma had been no fluke, as he went on to increase his goalscoring output even further. Beginning the league season with his first Roma hat-trick - in a 3-0 win at Bari - Manfredini was on fire. He made it two hat-tricks out of two when he netted three in a 6-1 triumph over Udinese the week after, before adding further goals against Torino and Napoli in the formative rounds of the season. On 13th November 1960, he gave another glimpse of his tremendous ability when he added a third hat-trick of the season - this time against city rivals Lazio at Stadio Olimpico. In doing so, Manfredini became just the third player to score a Derby Della Capitale hat-trick for Roma (who moved top of the league as a result). Another factor in making that season so memorable was the winning of Roma's only ever European trophy. And unsurprisingly, Manfredini was a key figure in the side's run to victory in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. He scored in every round - including four in a single game as Roma beat Hibernian 6-0 in a semi-final replay - as the side set up a showdown with Birmingham City. In the first leg of the final, it was none other than Manfredini setting Roma on their way to victory. 'Piedone' scored the first two goals as Roma drew 2-2, with the opener bringing up his 50th goal for the club. The Giallorossi went on to win the second leg 2-0 to lift the trophy. With 12 goals, Manfredini ended as the tournament's top scorer. No other player would ever score more Fairs Cup goals in a single season. The 1961-62 season would see Manfredini playing under a new coach, Luis Carniglia, but despite the changes in personnel, it was business as usual for the striker. Scoring on the opening day of the Serie A season for the third year running, Manfredini went on to finish as the club's top scorer again that term. Highlights of his season included a hat-trick against Udinese on Christmas Eve, and an impressive performance against Lazio in the Coppa Italia Round of 16. After the game finished goalless, each side nominated one penalty taker, with Manfredini assuming the responsibility for La Magica. He converted six out of six spot kicks to fire Roma into the next round. Averaging better than a goal every other game, Manfredini carried his good form into his fourth season in giallorosso, in which he surpassed the 20 goals mark for a second time. With several more hat-tricks along the way, Manfredini helped Roma to a fifth-placed finish in the 1962-63 Serie A, while they reached the semi-finals of the Fairs Cup. The European run included a four-goal haul against Altay, in an astonishing 10-1 second leg win in the Round of 32. Manfredini finished the season as the top scorer in both Serie A and the Fairs Cup. Sadly, he couldn't quite replicate the amazing form he had shown the following season, in which he scored just five goals from 15 games. A Roma side in transition went through three different managers as they slipped to 12th in the final standings, with goals proving a real problem. Despite his relative struggles in front of the net, Manfredini's tally was still only bettered by three Roma players that year. However, there was a silver lining to the campaign, as Roma won the Coppa Italia for the first time ever. Manfredini scored in the first and second rounds, before proving decisive from the penalty spot again in the semi-final against Fiorentina. Piedone was not involved in the final against Torino, but knew he had still played a major role in the club's maiden Coppa triumph, also ending up as the competition's top scorer that season. On a personal level, the season had also ended on a major positive. When he scored on the final day of the Serie A season - the third goal in a 4-4 draw with Catania - it meant he had reached 100 goals for the club. The goals may not have been coming as frequently as they once had, but Manfredini was still able to tick off an impressive milestone. The next campaign would be his last in a Roma shirt, and it brought just four goals in total. As he approached the age of 30, it was time for Manfredini to say goodbye. He left the club having scored 104 goals in 164 games. Only Amedeo Amadei and Rodolfo Volk had previously reached the 100-goal landmark for the club, and to this day, Manfredini remains one of just six Roma players to reach triple figures. Another of his long-standing records is his phenomenal goals-to-game ratio. His average of 0.63 goals per game is bettered only by Volk's 0.66. Roma have had some brilliant goalscorers over the years, but Manfredini will always be up there with the very best. He was a focal point for the team season after season, and always rose to the big occasions. He was truly instrumental in many of Roma's best moments of the 1960s. As the Italian football world mourns his passing, he leaves a lifetime of memories on the pitch behind him. Riposa in pace, Piedone.
Roma have had their fair share of influential leaders over the years.
It's 20 years to the day since Francesco Totti was named as Roma captain, and while the term 'Capitano' has become synonymous with him, he wasn't the only legend who acted as a club symbol. A total of 23 players have held the title of Roma club captain across their 91-year existence, with those reigns lasting anywhere between two months and 19 seasons. Here's a countdown of the 10 most iconic captains in Roma's history. 10. Arcadio Venturi (1953-1957) A loyal player who stayed with Roma during their sole season in Serie B, Venturi helped the side win promotion straight back to the top flight. In appreciation of his commitment to the club, he was awarded the captaincy at the end of the following season. His spell as captain ended in 1957, when he reluctantly moved to Inter to help Roma raise funds. 9. Sergio Santarini (1976-1980) Only five players have played more games for Roma than defender Santarini. The sweeper represented the club across three decades, earning the captaincy towards the end of his 13-year stint with the club. In his final year as captain, he lifted Roma's third Coppa Italia. Such was his longevity at the club, he had been involved in the previous two Coppa wins as well. 8. Guido Masetti (1939-1943) One of the best goalkeepers to have played for Roma, two-time World Cup winner Masetti spent four seasons as captain of the club. During that time, he became the first Roma player to lift the Serie A trophy when Roma won the title in 1942, a feat that only two men have repeated since. Masetti had a major influence on the title-winning campaign, with Roma conceding fewer goals than any other team in the division. 7. Fulvio Bernardini (1929-1939) Roma's second ever captain, Bernardini's contribution to the club was so great that the training ground was later named after him, despite his past association with rivals Lazio. Immediately identified as a leader upon his 1928 arrival at the club, he grew into his role as captain - which he took permanently in 1934 when Attilio Ferraris left - and became part of the club fabric. The midfielder later managed the Giallorossi as well. 6. Giacomo Losi (1959-1968) Captain for nine seasons, which makes him the joint-third longest serving skipper in the club's history, defender Losi held Roma's appearance record for nearly four decades, until he was overtaken by Totti. Partway through his tenure as captain, Losi was given the nickname of the 'Heart of Rome' in recognition of his contributions to the club and the sporting passion he embodied. Losi became the first Roma player to lift the Coppa Italia when they won the competition in 1964. 5. Giuseppe Giannini (1987-1996) Like Losi, Giannini wore the captain's armband for nine seasons, taking over from Milan-bound Carlo Ancelotti. Born and raised in Rome, Giannini was the epitome of what it means to captain La Magica, inspiring a young Totti as well as countless other Romanisti. Just 23 when he inherited the armband, Giannini had big shoes to fill, but he took the responsibility in his stride, inspiring the team to the 1991 Coppa Italia and becoming one of the club's best players of all time. 4. Attilio Ferraris (1927-1934) The first man to be named Roma's captain, Ferraris was another Roman citizen who led the club with distinction. A leader who unified a brand new group of players who had been playing for different clubs, Ferraris wrote his name in history by taking the armband upon the club's foundation. He was the outright captain for the first two years of the club's history, before sharing the role with new acquisition Bernardini, a sign of his nobility and selflessness. In total, Ferraris made over 200 appearances for the Giallorossi. 3. Daniele De Rossi (2017-) While he is only in his second season as official Roma captain, De Rossi has been a leader for much longer. Known for much of his career as 'Capitano Futuro', it was always clear that he had the necessary passion and commitment to captain the club. The first person turned to in the absence of Totti, De Rossi's never-say-die attitude has helped the club through thick and thin. When Totti missed the 2008 Coppa Italia final, it was De Rossi who led the side out and eventually lifted the trophy after a 2-1 win over Inter. A one-club man, De Rossi is the beating heart of the current Roma side. 2. Agostino Di Bartolomei (1980-1984) Nils Liedholm's trusted captain during the glory days of the early 80s, Di Bartolomei led by example. Although a shy man off the pitch, he let his football do the talking on it, being the driving force behind Roma's success. Under his leadership, Roma won their second Scudetto, the Coppa Italia twice and reached the European Cup final for the only time in their history. Although Roma lost that game, Di Bartolomei was an outstanding candidate for man of the match, in what turned out to be his last game for the club. In his wake, he left a legacy that highlighted the value of noble leadership. 1. Francesco Totti (1998-2017) Rome-born, Rome-raised, Roma fan. Francesco Totti was the perfect candidate to represent Roma. When Aldair vacated the captaincy after less than three months in the role, Totti was a clear choice to step into his shoes, despite his tender age of 22. Roma never looked back, and he became the longest-serving captain the club has ever had. Totti's Roma career ended with five trophies, all of which came during his captaincy. So great was the length of his captaincy, that during the same time frame, Juventus and Milan each went through three captains, with Totti outlasting Alessandro Del Piero and Paolo Maldini. Meanwhile, Inter had five captains, and Lazio had 13. All the while, Totti was forging his position as an eternal icon of Roma. And despite all the great leaders that preceded him, it's no wonder the fans sang 'C'è solo un Capitano' in his honour. Do you agree or disagree with the order of this list? Leave a comment below to share your opinions. |
samuel bannister
Founder and editor of Giallorossi Yorkshire, who is also a columnist for Roma's official website about the women's team. Categories
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