What does the derby mean to a Romanista player?

Daniele De Rossi, Francesco Totti and Allessandro Florenzi attempt to explain what this game meant to them as a fan and now as a player…

De Rossi: “My first derbies as a player were in a sense the tail end of those I experienced as a fan. The city comes to a halt and it throws in an insane mix of emotions. Keeping those emotions pinned down isn't at all easy. You need to strip yourself of everything. All that needs to remain is the intensity and concentration but in the end, the fans' intense support is something that always enters your heart.”

Totti: “I know what Roma fans feel at a derby, because when I was a kid, I had the privilege to experience that feeling amongst them. I was and will always be a Roma supporter. And the derby will always represent a special match for me. Things change when you become a footballer and experience becomes fundamental in managing to keep control of your emotions. Winning a derby means giving your fans and your city immense joy and celebrating with them is that great beauty we all know about.”

Florenzi: “For any Roman and Romanista, whether in the stands or on the pitch, the derby will never be a match like any other. As a football player, the derby is a challenge within the challenge. It's about letting those emotions fire you up. The secret is to avoid getting burned.”