Former Inter defender Marco Materazzi says he and Daniele De Rossi are similar in one particular way, and revealed he asked the former Roma midfielder to join Inter multiple times. The Giallorossi host Inter at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, and speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Materazzi previewed the match, sharing his thoughts on the new Roma coach:
“At least in one thing, we were similar, me and Daniele: the total love for our team. And so, we were alike in always giving our all to it.”
“Similar also in certain mistakes of youth? Of course, in fact, during the 2006 World Cup, when he got suspended for that punch, I was the first to defend him: I knew how he felt. And I also dedicated the goal against the Czech Republic to him.”
But when you, for the 2010 Scudetto, wore a t-shirt with “Nun è successo” written on it, teasing the Roma fans from afar, De Rossi didn’t take it well.
“It happens when you are a fan, even before being a player, of your team: I would have done the same. And let me tell you this: do you know how many times I told him ‘Come on, come to Inter’? He smiled and always replied the same thing: ‘Marco, if I leave Rome, I have to leave the two things I love the most: my daughter Gaia and Roma.’ Absolute love, absolute loyalty.”
And how much trouble will De Rossi’s Roma cause Inter?
“For Roma, it’s the first real test, and for Inter, it certainly won’t be a walk in the park. Let’s put it this way: I hope Roma wins them all from next week onwards.”
