Roma ‘have nothing to fear’ against Brighton in Europa League, says De Rossi

Published 26/02/2024 at 23:16 GMT

Roma manager Daniele De Rossi says his side “have nothing to fear” when they face Brighton & Hove Albion in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League. The draw pitted the Italian giants with the high-flying Seagulls, who sit seventh in the Premier League. Brighton are managed by Roberto de Zerbi, the Italian, who De Rossi calls “a coach who remains one of the best”.

Daniele De Rossi esulta insieme a Paulo Dybala durante Roma-Torino, Serie A 2023/2024

Image credit: Getty Images

Daniele De Rossi has said that his Roma side “have nothing to fear” when they face Brighton & Hove Albion in the UEFA Europa League last 16.

De Rossi’s return to the club in a managerial capacity has seen an upturn in form for Roma, who have suffered just one defeat since their former midfielder took the reins from Jose Mourinho.

The tie will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports and discovery+, with the first leg in Rome on March 7, and the return leg at the Amex on March 14.

The Seagulls are impressing once more in England’s top flight, sat seventh, in contention yet again for a surprise European finish.

However, De Rossi is bullish about his side’s hopes.

“[They are] a strong and balanced side with a coach who remains one of the best,” De Rossi said of Brighton, per Football Italia.

“However, Roma have nothing to fear, because we are every bit as strong.

“Maybe some games are easier to prepare than others and Brighton might cause me a few sleepless nights, but we have to find the right solutions.

“I doubt Roberto was very happy with the draw either. We get along well and we talked the first day, but that’s all. I always try to copy from the best and he is one of the best.”

The Giallorossi were not always convincing in their narrow victory over Ivan Juric’s Torino, and it was Dybala, the former Juventus forward, who De Rossi was lauding at the end.

“Champions are decisive in this sport and nobody can doubt that,” De Rossi said of his hat-trick hero.

“It’s never over with Torino, they do not give up.

“In a way, I like winning when you suffer to the end, but on the other hand we ought to kill games like this off earlier, because Toro will press you non-stop.”

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