View from both sides: Francesco Antonioli

Francesco Antonioli played for the Giallorossi between 1999 and 2003, before turning out for Cesena between 2009 and 2012: here’s his take on the game for our official match programme.

Though Francesco Antonioli was not born in Cesena, the former Roma goalkeeper – who made 145 appearances for the Giallorossi, including ten in the Coppa Italia – has chosen the Emilia-Romagna town for his home and is now the goalkeeping coach for the Serie B club.

“You have a good life in Cesena – it’s calm enough for you to focus on your work,” says Antonioli of his adopted city, while insisting that it’s always a special feeling to return to the Olimpico.

You ended your playing career at Cesena before joining the coaching staff – how did that come about?

“I was already living in Cesena and I was tired of continually having to move to play for different clubs. I was no spring chicken anymore and – after a tough period where I had to deal with a family bereavement – I decided to retire from football.

“One day I was walking down the street and I ran into [Pierpaolo] Bisoli, the Cesena coach at the time, and he asked me what I was up to. Once I’d confessed to him that I had decided to hang up my boots and was tired of all the moving around, he asked if I wanted to play for them.

"We had a good three years: we won promotion and things were going well, then eventually I joined the coaching staff.”

What kind of season are Cesena having this year?

“Not great. We’re not living up to expectations. The team was put together to make a go of it this season, not to be down the bottom of the table.”

You struggled to win any matches in the first two months of the season, but then the club brought a new manager in…

“That’s right. Things have improved a bit under [Andrea] Camplone, but there’s still a long way to go for us to reach safety.”

What’s the team lacking?

“The side has some issues and needs to take a step up in terms of quality.”

What went so well against Sassuolo? They were the overwhelming favourites for your Round of 16 tie.

“We started steadily then grew into the game as it wore on. I think perhaps everything clicked because we didn’t have that obligation to get a result, as we do in the league. Our attitude was spot on – we played without fear.”

Do you think your relegation battle might distract the team from the match at the Olimpico?

“The Coppa Italia isn’t our main objective, partly because of the money issues we have. The club needs to focus on securing their Serie B status, but of course playing at the Olimpico is a wonderful opportunity – it’s the perfect platform for us to shine.”

So what kind of game are you expecting?

“I don’t know. I hope we produce a good performance. We need to look at it as a fantastic training exercise ahead of the Carpi match. I don’t know who the boss is going to pick – whether he’ll give the fringe players a chance or stick with the regulars – but I’m hoping for a great game.”

Do you think there’s a risk that Roma could underestimate you?

“Definitely not after the defeat against Sampdoria. They’ll be wanting to get straight back on track after that loss.”

How do you rate Andrea Camplone?

“He’s an experienced, straight-talking, attentive coach. He demands focus from his players, but he’s not an iron-first type.”

What have you made of Roma’s season so far?

“They have a great side and they just need to step it up that little bit more to be like Juve and build the kind of winning mentality that means you never give up. If they do that the results will come.

“I think Roma look a lot more motivated and the standard of their play has gone up since [Luciano] Spalletti arrived. I don’t know his methods, but the fact that he’s familiar with Rome already is definitely a big advantage for him.”

You won the Scudetto and the Italian Super Cup during your time with Roma. What was the key to that success?

“Everything went right that year. Every single player in the dressing room performed well. The group was hungry for victory – our mentality was spot on.”

What do you think of Roma’s two current goalkeepers?

“I don’t know much about Alisson – I’ve only seen him play in the Coppa Italia so can’t really pass judgement.

“I’ve been following [Wojciech] Szczesny since he was at Arsenal. He’s doing very well with Roma and deserves credit for adapting to the tempo of Italian football quickly.”

In your opinion, who’s the most exciting up-and-coming goalkeeper in Italian football right now?

“This is nothing new but [Gianluigi] Donnarumma is a great young talent and after a year and a half in the team, he’s still performing to the standard required. Not manner people can cut it in Serie A at the age of 17 and a half."