De Rossi: A massive win for the players and the fans

The captain scored the only goal of the game at the Luigi Ferraris in a hard-fought 1-0 win, a result that snapped the Giallorossi’s three-game run without a win and boosted hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Speaking after the game, De Rossi acknowledged that his 74th minute winner seemed to have changed the mood around the side.

“It’s three points that really help us in the league, that really help the mood of the team, that really help the mood of the fans,” De Rossi said.

“At the end of the game I could see how pleased our great fans were with this win.”

It was also a moment of personal satisfaction for De Rossi, who was sent off at the same ground last season – albeit Genoa – in a game the Giallorossi would go on to draw.

“Last year at this stadium I had to come here and explain a red card that cost us two points – and this year I have scored a goal that has brought us an extra two points,” he said. “Football is like this, there is always the chance to make amends.

“I’m really pleased with how the guys approached the game, we can play better but right now we don’t have much time – we have to bring home as many points as we can.”

He added: “We are disappointed to be out of the Champions League places but this week we have the chance to reflect, to prepare as best we can for the game against Udinese after three tough matches in a row. I am sure that if we prepare right, we will move into a better spell.

“When there isn’t long left in the season you can’t try and put your opponents in trouble with passing shapes – you need to put out on the pitch everything you have inside, playing like men and bringing home points. We can improve; at times we lack a bit of fight and at others we struggle for consistency.”