Roma legend Paulo Roberto Falcao on De Rossi: “He must be put in the best conditions.” | OneFootball

Legendary Roma player Paulo Roberto Falcao shared a lengthy interview in light of Agostino Di Bartolomei’s recent 30th death anniversary.

The retired Brazilian footballer reflected on his relationship with ‘Ago’ and also weighed in on Daniele De Rossi’s return to the club as the head coach of the team.

In an interview with Il Messaggero, Falcao said, “For me Agostino is always a painful memory.”

“Our bond was so strong that some time ago I wrote a book “Football Stories” and dedicated an entire chapter entitled “The Emperor of the Midfield”. The first time I saw him, he made this impression on me.”

“With that apparently grumpy attitude, his hair combed forward, he looked like Caligula and many of us in the locker room started calling him that.”

“Technical midfielder, long throws, intelligent on and off the pitch. He was a very serious man, making him smile wasn’t easy but he also knew how to joke around. He also had an uncommon generosity.”

“For me he was a friend, I still can’t understand how this could have happened. With the guys from that Rome, even if we inevitably lost touch with each other, we happened to talk about it again.”

“De Rossi?  I didn’t miss the game against Brighton, the two against Milan and the first against Leverkusen in the Europa League.”

“Daniele is young, he knows the city, he can work more calmly than others in his position. I’m happy that the club have placed their trust in him. But now he must be put in the best conditions.”

“The important thing is that he is given time in case initially things don’t go as hoped,” he continued.