Aquilani and Roma, emotion without words: "No one can take it from me, but when the match starts..."

Aquilani returns to the Olimpico as Sassuolo manager for the first time since Roma sold him to Liverpool in 2009, vowing to set aside emotion once the match begins.

Alberto Aquilani will face AS Roma at the Olimpico tomorrow as Sassuolo manager for the first time since his departure 18 years ago. The midfielder was sold by Roma to Liverpool in 2009 in a move that deeply affected him — he famously returned home in tears when learning of the transfer. Now managing a struggling Sassuolo side in fourth-to-last place with just 8 points, Aquilani acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion in his pre-match press conference. "No one can take away from me entering that stadium," he said, "but when the match starts I must put the emotions aside."

Aquilani still lives in Rome with his family and runs a sports facility there, making the return particularly poignant. However, his focus is firmly on Sassuolo's dire situation and the challenge of facing Gasperini's Roma. He emphasized the need for his players to show determination and mental strength, calling for improved tactical execution and reduced individual errors. "We must do serious things, run a bit more than our opponents, win tackles, go for second balls," Aquilani said. "We know 100% might not be enough, but we must give 100% and more because we have dignity."