De Rossi: Qualification would be vindication for our hard work

The Giallorossi host Qarabag in the final game of the group stage at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night, knowing that a victory will guarantee their spot in the last-16 of the competition.

Read everything De Rossi had to say ahead of Tuesday's game.

JOURNALIST: You’ve already apologised, but do you have anything else to say about the events in Genoa?

DE ROSSI: "I was the first to speak up. I said sorry – I can’t do more than that. If I could turn back time then I would. All I can do is focus on our upcoming games, as I’ve always done. Our next match is massively important. Dwelling on what happened against Genoa doesn’t help me or my team-mates."

How did it feel to see the banner the fans made for you? What promise can you make to the fans?

"I was very pleased. Whenever I’ve gone through tough times, they have always made it very clear that they’re still behind me. I was at home, but it made me very happy. I’d rather not make any promises, because not everything depends solely on you in football. That said, tomorrow night it is all in our own hands."

You’re very experienced in the Champions League. On a mental level, how do you prepare for a game like tomorrow’s?

"I have experience of playing in Europe but you prepare for these games like you do any big match. It’s no different to a derby or a match against Juve or AC Milan. Tactically it’s quite clear – the aim is to get at them and win the game. This year our strategy is to approach all matches in a similar way and that has given us a lot of confidence in our ability. We don’t prepare for certain games differently – we always play the same way and that’s been one of our biggest strengths this season."

You made your Roma debut around 16 years ago in the Champions League. How would you describe your relationship with the competition?

"It’s a competition that has given me some fantastic nights but also a lot of crushing disappointment and a couple of really poor shows. We’ve always performed in a way befitting our club – we can’t expect too much because there are teams with far greater resources than us. Tomorrow is a vital match. We’ve got through the group many times, but never when we’ve had such a tough one. It would send out a good message because we’d have knocked out Atletico and caused Chelsea real trouble. First of all let’s focus on getting through, then I’ll be able to look back on it as one of my best nights in the Champions League."

A few months ago you said it would be difficult to replace Luciano Spalletti. Do you stand by that?

"I was right. It was difficult but not impossible. People were saying the previous coach didn’t know what he was doing and even that he was harming Roma. There was a bit of a fuss and the situation with Francesco [Totti] was quite unique, which everybody was aware of. I wanted to speak up about what a good job he had done.

"The results are there for all to see now, but I think our first six months under [Eusebio] Di Francesco have been the best opening spell under a new coach I can remember. Unfortunately the teams above us have won almost all of their games. If we had started the way we have last season, we probably would have been top for six months."

Roma may get the go-ahead for the new stadium tomorrow. People used to say they hoped Totti would be able to play there – will you?

"Even though it’s a very important step for Roma, it’s not our priority right now. The immediate future is about tomorrow night. I’ll be 38 in 2021, so I think it’s going to be difficult, although mentally and in terms of my fitness things are looking good. You need other qualities to continue playing until 38 and I don’t know whether I have them. What matters most is playing in the Champions League Round of 16, not the new stadium."

You’ve had an extraordinary career both with Roma and at international level, but in total you’ve missed almost an entire season through suspension. Do you think your character has benefitted or hindered your career?

"If you think about it, if you miss two games a season every year for 16 years, that’s 32 games – nearly a whole season. And if you miss three games in some seasons, that’s 40. I’ve not missed a whole year. I’ve always maintained a constant presence throughout my career. I know there’s a big difference between picking up a ban for a tug and getting one for punching [Mauro] Icardi. I’ve not missed a full year though.

"When I’ve made mistakes, I’ve paid the consequences. I’ll either be on the pitch or in the dressing room tomorrow, as always."

Diego Perotti has had some nice things to say about you. Do you feel like you players view football in a different way to the rest of us?

"With all due respect, it’s obvious that we understand football differently to the journalists and fans. Some players have heroic reputations but when you get to know them in the dressing room the pressure gets to them before a game just like everyone else. The fact that everyone sees me as a good team-mate, as a friend, doesn’t mean I have any favour stored up. I was pleased to hear what Diego said. They know I was really disappointed. I know they know I’m a good person and would never turn my back on them if it was the other way around. I would always back a team-mate or member of staff."

Do you have an objective you want to achieve before the end of your career?

"It’s unrealistic to set objectives because not everything depends on us. I’ve always said that I want to retire before I can’t do it anymore or no longer find it enjoyable. When you’re younger, you have some seasons when you don’t enjoy it so much, but you have to stick at it. At the age of 35, I’m not going to cling onto this job for so long that I end up hating it. I feel good this season. It would be crazy for me to say I’m not retiring until we win the Scudetto. I want to win it as soon as possible. If I thought it was impossible here I would already have left. In my eyes, it’s not impossible."