Rome, Pellegrini: “Never wanted the No. 10. Mourinho? If he doesn’t win the next match, he’s sick”
Lorenzo PellegriniRoma midfielder, he talks about himself in a long interview with DAZN: “When we play late at night until 4 I don’t sleep, I stay there and review the game, the things I can improve on. From the screen it always seems easy, then you’re there and it’s different”.
What is your first memory of Rome?
“I can’t help but think of my family and my dad, beyond the fact that he took me to the stadium to watch the games. I was 5 years old, it was the year of the Scudetto and I remember that it was difficult to take me. At home he lived as if he was at the stadium, he was screaming as if he were there and my mother, who didn’t want to scream, I remember the celebrations throughout the city, flags attached to the cars for months… This is Rome, every day and moment the people live.
Remember his first LA goal?
“Yes, we won (with Sassuolo, ed) at Marassi. What a thrill. Moving from Rome wasn’t easy, that year there was Rudi Garcia in Rome, whom I respect infinitely and with whom I have an excellent relationship. Don’t be the boy anymore It wasn’t easy for the Primavera player, many don’t remember it, but I never played at Sassuolo in the first few months, because I had aspects that I needed to improve on. And I understood that. I remember then that I played 90 minutes for Cagliari in the Coppa Italia, I didn’t I expected to play the following Sunday as well. Instead it happened and I felt great, so much so that I scored the first goal. My dad has the shirt from that time, like the other important ones. Otherwise I’ll lose them. A lot of things are attributed to me but one never says that I am a worker, one of those who leaves nothing to chance when he is in Trigoria, to set an example for others. I am therefore also very demanding. At the time, however, I was different, jumping from the Primavera to Serie A changes your world. At 18 you share the locker room with g them over-30 and with those who have hundreds of matches in Serie A and it’s natural to ask you for more.”
What is your relationship with Totti?
“We’ve always talked freely, for me it’s Francesco, I can’t even explain. Knowing him was very important for me, he’s been by my side many times to help me. He’s an exceptional person and has a big heart. Wear the armband on the steps of the Olimpico is a thrill. The day after, however, you also have to enter the changing rooms, in the technical meetings: being captain counts and not only for the armband.”
Would you like the number 10 shirt?
“Never thought of taking it, first of all because 7 is my favorite number and when I found it free it didn’t seem true. Wouldn’t it make sense to change number, for what, to make who happy? What you do on the pitch counts. 10 you only think about Totti, I like him and rightly so”.
Is there something about his being a captain that inspired you?
“Totti and De Rossi are two symbols of Rome and it will always be like this. The thing I liked so much about Francesco was that once on the pitch he didn’t speak, but it was as if you heard him. Everyone recognized this leadership in him. I know that maybe with my character I can help comrades in difficulty or under pressure, but many times words are not enough. I am someone who likes to set an example. I have a special relationship with Zaniolo, as if he were my younger brother. I am sorry that sometimes is passed off as what he’s not, but he’s an exceptional boy and an extraordinary player.”
What memories do you have of winning the Conference League final?
“That’s the only match I’ve never seen again. And I’ll never see it again. There’s no need, just enter Trigoria and see the cup to make me remember everything. (regards the images) The effect it has on me is wanting to win another one. For me it was such a great emotion… In these years, I don’t want anyone, but there have been many things that are difficult to manage and put down. Ambitious, who knows what why he works. Even when I’m at home I think about how to do better every day. Winning the cup wasn’t due or taken for granted, we wanted it and sweated a lot. It was my dream, achieving it was nice”.
What place does Mourinho occupy?
“The first. He was fundamental, he taught me things I honestly would never have thought about. The thing I like most is that it’s never enough for him, not even being the coach with the most trophies in history: if he doesn’t win the next , he’s sick. It makes you express yourself 100% and perceive the passion that a person who has won everything still has. And I’m talking about individual matches, not even trophies. We did a final with him, we didn’t talk about anything other than winning.” .
Has it ever surprised her?
“Actually many times. Once, I remember, it was a match we hadn’t won: his way of being infects you, and when you don’t win there’s a certain air. Anyone who doesn’t give weight to victories and defeats can’t stay in here But he went into the locker room and said he was very satisfied, that a few weeks had gone by but we felt an understanding and that at the end of the year we would have had some satisfaction”.
And then the punishments.
“The first few years I could train with Kolarov, and Alex is incredible. I really couldn’t help the goalkeepers when he was batting… It helped me a lot, he didn’t like my run-up and in fact I changed it. I followed his advice. After scoring against Cagliari, I felt like laughing when I thought about what everyone said to me. But if you commit yourself, you can improve, I did, and take away your satisfaction. Now, if there’s a punishment, I feel obliged, I have to do it. goal”.
Was the back-heel goal against Verona the most beautiful of your career?
“Yes. Maybe even the free-kick in the derby against Lazio. This is what I’m most fond of, it was a bad time. We were in training camp after losing in Bologna and many things have changed.”