De Rossi praise for ‘modern coach’ Spalletti
Daniele De Rossi explains his Genoa choices against Juventus and why he admires Luciano Spalletti. ‘He keeps up to date with changes in football and remains a modern coach.’
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
De Rossi outlines Genoa decisions
Genoa went into the break for international duty off a home defeat to Udinese, but are missing Brooke Norton-Cuffy after he suffered an injury with the England Under-21 side.
There were different options on the left flank, but Aaron Martin got the nod ahead of Stefano Sabelli.
“I can’t be using left-footed players on the opposite flank, Martin is suited to the left, so I’ll keep him there. We can solve games like this with set plays and Martin is a maestro, and his fitness levels really improved recently,” De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.
“With five substitutions, it helps to have a deep squad, but I think Juventus have a great starting XI and play some of the best football currently in Italy along with Como.”
It is a touchline reunion with De Rossi’s former Roma coach Spalletti, and the veteran said that he considered DDR one of his ‘football sons’ who went on to become tacticians.
“He taught me so much, I worked with him when I was very young, he left and came back an even better coach than I remembered,” explained De Rossi.
“That means he is always eager to keep up to date with changes in football, continue to develop, and remain a modern coach, even when the years tick by.”
It was a long rapport, because De Rossi played 251 competitive games under Spalletti, more than with any other coach.
The midfielder scored 30 goals and provided 27 assists in that time.
