De Rossi and Spalletti together on TV before Genoa-Juve: "I've always been convinced"

Spalletti praised De Rossi ahead of their Serie A meeting, saying he always believed his former player would succeed as a manager.

Luciano Spalletti and Daniele De Rossi shared a moment together in front of the microphones before Genoa's midweek Serie A clash against Juventus. Spalletti, De Rossi's former manager when he was a player, spoke warmly of his ex-pupil now managing Genoa. "I've always been convinced that De Rossi, who was immense as a player, would be the same as a manager," Spalletti said. "I say this not because I care for him, but because I know him well as a person and professional. I've seen him in particularly difficult moments of his life, and that's where you discover the truth about someone."

Spalletti warned of Genoa's threat, highlighting their aggressive style and character. "What should we fear from his Genoa? His character, and the team has this fighting spirit—they come at you to hurt you. You might concede three minutes and the result flips. They have the attitude to attack, to want to score goals. Many details determine results, but it will be a very tough match," he added.