De Rossi expecting another tough test against Cork City

The youth team face the Irish side in the first leg of their UEFA Youth League tie on Wednesday, and landed in Cork on Tuesday to prepare for the game.

It is the squad's first match since Friday's victory over Inter Milan at the Stadio Olimpico - and De Rossi is expecting another tough match.

“We’ve analysed Cork and had a look at the strengths and weaknesses on show in their match against Helsinki," De Rossi said. "They’re a really physical, high-tempo side, but they’re also good at building the play from the back.”

On his own side, he added: “I want to see us improve. We have a strong foundation in terms of our technique, tactics and mental fortitude.

"We’ve shown that we’re able to react when things don’t go our way. We’ll need to be on our game because it’s not going to be an easy match.”

It’s time to move on after the Super Cup win...

“We’ve already done that. It was a fantastic evening seeing as we won and there were so many fans there. We’ll never forget it, but now it’s time to put it to one side. We’re desperate to get through this round and get ourselves into the main part of the Youth League. If we can do that, we want to go far.”

The Super Cup win proved that you have the quality to do well in all competitions this season.

“The team have proved that by approaching every match perfectly, apart from the first day of the season. I think we’re looking strong mentally, but that doesn’t mean that we’re going to go on and win every competition.

"We need to put the running in, work hard, show a desire to get better and make the effort as a team. It’ll be a test on Wednesday, but then we have another one on Sunday [against Frosinone]. Every match is a test for us.”