Alberto De Rossi: We have great team spirit

“I’m very pleased,” De Rossi revealed in his post-match interview. “We showed something today that is every bit as important as tactics and technical ability – team spirit. It was a very important match today, not just because it was a derby but also because we were coming off the back of two league defeats.”

Despite praising his side’s performance, the Primavera boss was also keen to stress that there is still room for improvement.

“The quality of our play dropped right off after the break so we’ll have to work on that. Easing off is not part of our plans or our ideas.”

Roma took a 22nd-minute lead at Trigoria through Marco Tumminello, only for Lazio to equalise in the second-half after Francesco Manoni’s shot took a wicked deflection off Silvio Anocic. However, the Giallorossi’s lead was restored in the 53rd minute after Riccardo Marchizza dispatched a penalty kick won by Tumminello.

“During half-time we spoke about starting the second-half with the right concentration levels but Lazio scored straight away courtesy of an unlucky deflection,” continued De Rossi. “But we responded on a psychological level – the lads pulled their socks up and won the mental battle in what was a very even match. It’s a victory we can all enjoy together.”

The Primavera will now look ahead to their upcoming UEFA Youth League match against BATE Borisov. The group decider will take place on the Agostino Di Bartolomei pitch at Trigoria on Wednesday at 14:30 CET.

De Rossi called for his side to produce a big performance against the Belarusians.

“It’s going to be another important match against BATE. We had a great run in that competition last year and did Roma proud right through until the semi-finals. We want to produce a great performance on Wednesday to make sure we qualify for the next round.”