De Rossi focused on Genoa survival amid Italy World Cup fallout
Genoa manager Daniele De Rossi has insisted his sole focus is on securing his club's Serie A status, brushing aside broader discussions about Italy's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The former Roma captain made his comments in a press conference previewing Monday's league fixture away to Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.
De Rossi was unequivocal when asked about the ongoing national discourse following Italy's elimination. He stated that too many people are now offering opinions on the matter, from former players to journalists and beyond, and that adding to what he called a "minestrone of chatter" is unimportant. The Genoa boss expressed personal sorrow for the players involved, many of whom are former teammates, but stressed his priority lies with his current club's battle for survival.
The 42-year-old manager instead shifted focus to the immediate challenge of facing Juventus. He acknowledged the quality of Massimiliano Allegri's side, describing them as a "chameleonic" team with strong possession and multiple tactical options. De Rossi confirmed his squad is preparing a couple of different tactical approaches for the match, which comes after a two-week break following a disappointing loss to Udinese on March 20.
On the injury front, De Rossi provided updates on his squad. He confirmed that on-loan Arsenal defender Brooke Norton-Cuffy will miss the Juventus match after picking up a minor injury during a training session with his national team. The manager clarified the issue is not considered serious. He offered more positive news regarding midfielder Nicolò Baldanzi, stating the January signing has trained well and is available, potentially from the start or from the bench.
De Rossi also touched on his personal relationship with Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, with whom he shared a significant period at Roma as player and coach. He described Spalletti as an important figure in his life, both personally and professionally, and a manager he considers phenomenal. The two exchanged Easter greetings recently, but De Rossi emphasized that friendship will be set aside for the 90 minutes on Monday.
The match represents a critical moment for Genoa, who sit just above the relegation zone. A positive result against one of the league's traditional powers would provide a significant boost in their quest for safety. For Juventus, the game is an opportunity to solidify their position in the top four as the season enters its final stretch. De Rossi's pragmatic approach, shutting out external noise to concentrate on the tactical task at hand, underscores the high-stakes nature of the run-in for clubs at both ends of the table.
