Former Roma attacker Marco Delvecchio discussed the upcoming Derby della Capitale with Lazio.
In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Delvecchio – who played for Roma between 1995 and 2005 – said, “My fondest derby memory is the 3-1 with Zeman, in 1999. We were coming off a season of four defeats and had drawn 3-3 in the first leg. I scored two goals and Francesco one.”
“That victory was liberating and also changed the history of the following derbies. We would win many in the years that followed,” he added.
“My life changed when in the summer of 2000, Capello came to me during the retreat and asked me: do you want to win the league? I replied: of course. Then, he said, you have to play on the wing and run back and forth.”
“I accepted the challenge. Otherwise, in an attack with Batistuta, Totti and Montella, how many games would I have played? For me, it was important to be there.”
“Who will be Roma’s Man of the Match on Sunday? I hope Dovbyk. He was criticized a lot but in his first year in Serie A he scored the same number of goals as Lautaro Martinez. I don’t think he did that badly and I would build the Roma of the future on a center forward like that. I’m rooting for him, also because he’s left-footed like me…”
“Roma’s chances for Top 4? Honestly, very few. And a lot depends on a victory on Sunday. The calendar is very difficult and fuels regrets for what could have been and was not, because Roma has a very good squad.”
“I wonder where the team would be now if Ranieri had been on the bench since the first matchday. With all due respect, if you send De Rossi away after a few games you can’t bring in Juric. He wasn’t a suitable profile for Roma.”
“The new coach? I would pick Ranieri. I know he doesn’t want to stay but it would be the best choice. Alternatively I hope that a coach who knows the Italian league is hired.”
“If the right reinforcements arrive to fill the gaps in the squad this summer, Roma will be competitive as early as next year. And I see them compete for the Scudetto.”
