Roma were battered, beaten and left in ruins. “Chiesa breaks Rome,” read Italy’s Gazzetta Dello Sport following the unthinkable 7-1 defeat at the hands of Fiorentina and their young star in a midweek Coppa Italia clash.
As the starting XI echoed throughout every corner of the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, the stadium announcer’s voice was met with searing jeers from the Roma faithful for every selection with the exception of teenage sensation Nicolo Zaniolo and club legend Daniele De Rossi.
Loudest boos reserved for EDF, but Kolarov not far off. De Rossi and Zaniolo the only players spared. #RomaMilan pic.twitter.com/KbyJtCTnj5
— Alasdair Mackenzie (@aksmackenzie) February 3, 2019
A perceived lack of grinta is the quickest way to draw the ire of a fan base deliriously hungry for glory, as they’ve seen their team finish second-best a backbreaking nine times since their last Scudetto triumph in 2000-01. De Rossi has never failed to deliver in this area, and alongside his fiery spirit and endless passion for representing his boyhood outfit, the 35-year-old again demonstrated that he has everything required to compete at the highest level and single-handedly drag his side through difficult spells.
The Giallorossi have experienced nothing short of a torrid week, surrendering a 3-0 lead against upstart Atalanta in league play before Wednesday’s demolition. In steps Il Capitano, who provided desperately needed composure, ball-winning ability and technical prowess against Milan. In his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in October while on international duty, the longest setback of his professional career, De Rossi was everything Roma could have wanted and more in midfield.
Back... like a BOSS ?
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) February 4, 2019
More stats from #RomaMilan ➡️ https://t.co/zEDyhFZdGL pic.twitter.com/mNbHh7KM0Z
In addition to such impressive statistics, 12.1 kilometers covered offer another testament to the effort of a player waging his own war against Father Time. Where he lacks in pace, he more than makes up for with passing vision, as he was observably Roma’s most gifted distributor on the field and completed a team-best seven long balls forward.
While praising Rome’s beloved son may be the most conservative of tactics for a manager whose seat grows ever hotter, Eusebio Di Francesco was justifiably full of praise for his leader following Sunday’s 1-1 draw.
“De Rossi was extraordinary tonight, as he knows football so well and makes everyone around him play better. There are some players who are fundamental and De Rossi is one of them, as he sets the tempo, he varies the passes and sparks the moves. If we play 4-3-3, we cannot do without him.”
While players will continue to come and go, oftentimes using their stints in the Italian capital as a launchpad for other destinations, one thing is for certain. As long as his legs carry him and his heart still beats, De Rossi will continue to bleed yellow and red and light the way in the Eternal City.
An avid Roma fan, Wesley Davidson works in youth soccer in Austin, TX, and contributes to FloFC. You can find him on Twitter.