When Didier Deschamps convinced Flavio Roma to sign for Monaco
Interviewed in the show Salon VIP on beIN Sports, the former Italian doorman of the Principality club told how the current coach of the Blues had observed him at the foot of the Rock.
He was the last bulwark of the 2004 generation, which experienced the European epic until it reached a Champions League final. Worthy successor to the legends of the Club at the post, Jean-Luc Ettori and Fabien Barthez, Flavio Roma was almost unknown when he arrived at AS Monaco in 2001 from Piacenza, in the Italian Serie B. Already experienced goalkeeper with an impressive size (1.91 m), he was then convinced by Didier Deschamps, a very young retiree, and newly appointed coach of the Rouge et Blanc.
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🗨 Flavio Roma: “My best memory of the campaign with Monaco? The semi-final return to Chelsea!” pic.twitter.com/IsCVdG8Anb– beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) October 19, 2021
A first contact with President Campora
However, the future transalpine international (3 selections) is courted by Fiorentina, which is plagued by economic problems. The 1998 World champion will then quickly have the arguments to attract the doorman from the Eternal City. “My agent tells me that there is an offer abroad, and he asks me if that appeals to me. At the time, going abroad for an Italian was complicated, I was only the 3rd or 4th. But he tells me it’s AS Monaco, right next door. So i will talk with President Campora“, Contextualize Flavio Roma in an interview with Claire Arnoux in the Salon VIP show on beIN Sports.
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🗨 Flavio Roma: “Didier Deschamps convinced me to sign for Monaco instead of signing for Fiorentina!” pic.twitter.com/rDoyMVdwLO– beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) October 19, 2021
Sébastien Squillaci? A great guy. We are still in contact today. He’s the kind of guy you appreciate even more after your career is over, outside of football. Because when the matches and the seasons follow one another, it’s difficult. But today I can say that I played next to a great player, who is also a great guy.
Former AS Monaco goalkeeper
Didier Deschamps “the Italian”
“When I am in his office, I remember Didier Deschamps call me the same day. He just played in the Champions League final with Valencia against Bayern Munich I believe. And he speaks to me directly in Italian, because I don’t speak French yet. He immediately had the arguments to convince me, ”admits the man who celebrated his 47th birthday on June 21.
His relationship with his mentor, Jean-Luc Ettori, his friend “Toto” Squillaci, his best memory of the 2004 epic… the great Flavio, author of 249 matches with the Rouge et Blanc, looks back on his time at AS Monaco . And it is to be enjoyed without moderation.
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🗨 Flavio Roma: “Sébastien Squillaci? A great guy!”
😉 The former teammate of the Italian goalkeeper had a message for him! pic.twitter.com/W3PiJU70VB– beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) October 19, 2021