❗️Baldanzi: Joined Roma for DDR, thoughts on Ranieri and Italy | OneFootball

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The Roma playmaker Tommaso Baldanzi gave an exclusive interview to Cronache di Spogliatoio, where he reflected on the incredible season experienced by the Giallorossi. Many topics were discussed.

The Relationship with Ranieri

"I don't know what magic pill he used on us, but he hit the right notes. He brought back calm and play: he was a very important figure. I don't think there was a specific key, and maybe that's the beauty of it. We knew we had to wake up. We told ourselves, 'We have to win as many matches as possible to save the season,' we didn't have a specific goal. And then we ended up playing for the Champions League.

Before, there was a lot of sadness and anger. In this locker room, there are really strong players. If the results don't come, you're already unconsciously angry, let alone when you're aware of your strength. We needed to make a change. We succeeded, I don't know if it was more thanks to the coach, the training, or the hard work. Ranieri gave me many opportunities, I always felt his trust: even when not starting, I played significant parts of games, useful for the team and to show my qualities."

Regret for DDR

"I was very sorry about De Rossi's dismissal. He was the one who brought me here, he made it clear right away how much he wanted me. He gave a young guy the opportunity to move from Empoli to a big team like Roma. We worked a lot together, I felt how much he believed in me. He had worked hard to bring me to Roma. And then he was the first person I met here. Coming from a small place like Empoli, the first day I entered Trigoria, I said, 'Oh my God, 400 people. Do they all work here?'. It took me a moment, I felt disoriented. And he was there for me."

Admiration for Dybala

"Dybala is a golden person, really, besides being the strongest I've played with. I would like to see! In the past, I had said that, compared to Dybala, on a scale from 1 to 10 I wasn't even there: now maybe I've made some progress, maybe we're at two! Making my debut by replacing him was magical. I had already played at the Olimpico against Roma, but when those people are on your side, it's even more impressive. In September, I scored my first goal in the Giallorossi jersey against Udinese: I wanted to explode all my joy under the curve, but the moment was a bit particular. I thought: 'Maybe it's better not to'. However, goals and assists have been my weak point this year: I have made good performances, but on a personal level, I would have liked to do more."

The Journey at Empoli

"We joke about it, but the Empoli youth academy is like an oven: every year, very strong guys come out. Even there, I don't know what the right pill is, but the work they do with the youth sector is incredible. Empoli is a perfect place for a young person: they give you the opportunity to grow, to make mistakes. Elsewhere it would be much harder to emerge, and in the long run, it could penalize you. It was 13 years of pure joy. Some were like second fathers to me, I will thank them forever.

At Empoli, they called me 'the Little Buddha'. It was a nickname given to me by coach Buscé in the Primavera. I never managed to give myself an explanation. I keep asking myself too. Actually, there is a reason, but I never understood it. With the coach, I always had a great relationship, we still talk very often. Together we won two championships: the first with the U16. I still remember one of his speeches: 'Tommy, you need to believe more in yourself and your abilities because you are really strong'. From there, I exploded, those words helped me a lot. And then also with the Primavera where I scored a double in the final against Atalanta: a cycle was closed. At Empoli, I shared the room with Asllani: we have a beautiful relationship, we talk often, but I still haven't written to him for the Champions League final. I didn't want to bother him."

From Childhood to the Goal at San Siro

"When I scored at San Siro against Inter, I really didn't understand anything anymore. Scoring in such a stadium is every kid's dream. And then it's priceless: that goal won us the match, bringing us closer to our goal. The number 35 jersey? I'm very attached to it now, but at first, there wasn't a real reason. I was with the Empoli kit men, we had to hurry and quickly choose the number because I had to go on the bench. There were 32, 33, and 35. I was undecided: 'I don't know, whatever'. And one of them said: 'Come on, I'll put 35'. The following year, when I was permanently in the first team, I told them: 'Well, you've decided, put 35'. Number 10, my favorite number as a child, was also available, but I was sure: 'No, we've decided on 35. Let's go with that'. And so, in Rome, it came naturally to take it.

On my left arm, I have my grandfather tattooed and the phrase 'You'll never walk alone'. It has nothing to do with Liverpool, but it's a dedication to him. He was the only one a bit passionate about football. My father played basketball, my mother never understood anything about it. Every day he took me to play, then unfortunately he passed away. I have incredible memories with him, which is why I decided to tattoo him."

Bove and the National Team

"Edoardo and I are friends off the field as well. He helped me a lot from the first moment I set foot in Rome. He took care of everything. He would say: 'Do you need someone to find a house? Call here. Or do you want a restaurant? Go here, trust me'. I came from a small village, with two restaurants. Imagine.

EURO2025 will be a tough tournament, after a heavy season and against very prepared teams. Even here, we are at the end of a cycle: from next year we won't be there anymore. Provided, of course, that the senior National team doesn't call us: I was called up by coach Mancini for the training camp, it was very nice and exciting. We are keen to do well: we have always played great friendlies or excellent matches in the qualifying phase. Now we want to go as far as possible, I won't say more. With the U20, we reached the final in the 2023 World Cup against Uruguay: I would like to erase that match from my mind. It was a pity because we were a group that no one believed in: with the championship still ongoing, many couldn't come. Yet we did very well, we had fun, we were very united because we grew up together. Only the final was really missing."

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