De Rossi takes charge of 600th Primavera game

The experienced coach - father of current club captain Daniele – has been in charge of the Giallorossi Under-19 side since 2003, and has overseen the graduation to the first team of the likes of full Italy internationals Alessandro Florenzi, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Alessio Romagnoli, Alessio Cerci and Andrea Bertolacci.

The 60-year-old is currently in his 15th season with the Primavera. During his tenure in charge, De Rossi has guided his players to three national titles, two Coppa Italia crowns and two Supercoppa successes.

This season the junior side – which has already seen winger Mirko Antonucci make his first-team debut – are once again in contention for the Serie A crown.

“It’s certainly an exciting moment,” De Rossi said after the game. “Who would have ever thought it?

“Six hundred games is clearly an important milestone, but we always have to look forward.”

A recent survey of Italy's top two leagues revealed that Roma's academy had developed more of its current professional players than any other club - with a total of 44 ex-Roma players having made appearances this season in either Serie A or Serie B.

All of them were coached by De Rossi at some stage of their development.