De Rossi focused on Genoa survival amid Italy World Cup exit fallout
Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi has addressed his team's upcoming Serie A clash with Juventus and the ongoing fallout from Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Monday's match at the Allianz Stadium, the former Roma captain emphasized his primary concern is securing Genoa's top-flight status, distancing himself from the broader national debate.
De Rossi's side returns to action after the international break looking to move on from a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Udinese on March 20. The manager expressed confidence in his squad's response during the training period. "The disappointment has to be digested," De Rossi said, according to reports from the press conference. "It's not the first time we've collected fewer points than we deserved. You can't change these things; you have to make an honest and lucid analysis of the match."
On the injury front, De Rossi confirmed that on-loan Arsenal defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy will miss the Juventus fixture after picking up a minor issue while training with the England Under-21 squad. The manager stated the injury is not considered serious. He offered a more positive update on midfielder Nicolo Baldanzi, who has returned to training and is available for selection, potentially from the start.
The match will see De Rossi face his former Roma coach, Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti. The pair shared a successful period at the Stadio Olimpico, winning Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana titles together. De Rossi described Spalletti as an important figure in his life, both personally and professionally. "I consider him a friend," De Rossi said. "I think he is phenomenal from a footballing perspective. We gave a lot to each other."
Regarding the challenge of facing a Juventus side currently competing near the top of the table, De Rossi acknowledged their quality. "Juventus is a quality team like Roma, with strong players, but perhaps a bit more chameleon-like when they have the ball at their feet," he analyzed. "They certainly have great possession and many options. We are preparing a couple of alternatives."
When questioned about Italy's failure to reach the 2026 World Cup, a topic dominating Italian sports media, De Rossi was blunt in his desire to avoid adding to the noise. "I think we are talking a bit too much," he stated. "Especially because everyone is talking: from ex-players to journalists, to the butcher and the grocer. I am worried about Genoa's survival and I believe that adding more words to this soup of chatter is not so important." He expressed personal sorrow for the players involved, many of whom are former teammates, but reiterated his focus remains solely on his club duties.
Genoa, under De Rossi's guidance since his appointment earlier in the season, currently sits just above the relegation zone. The match against Juventus represents a significant test as the club enters the final stretch of the campaign aiming to secure its Serie A status for another year.
