Brighi: Scoring a Champions League brace was a dream

Ahead of Thursday's Europa League trip to face Cluj, we spoke to a matchwinner of one of our previous meetings with the Romanian side...

Matteo Brighi decided to call time on his Serie A playing career at the age of 38 after his final season with Empoli.

A talented midfielder on the pitch and a measured man off it, Brighi switched off the floodlights by himself at the end of the 2018-19 campaign without drawing any attention to himself, despite racking up 405 Serie A appearances over the years.

During his stint at Roma between 2007 and 2011, he scored 13 goals in 141 competitive games.

“I’m not the type for announcements and goodbyes," he said, not mincing words.

"I’ve started a new journey which is still in football and that suits me."

What do you do nowadays?

“I’m working with AIC, the Italian Footballers’ Association. I also have my own football academy in Rimini with some friends where I coach kids.”

Are you thinking about becoming a coach professionally at some point?

“I don’t think I have it in me. There are so many aspects of it that I’m not suited to.”

What’s your role at AIC?

“I don’t have an official job title just yet. I visit a range of team bases alongside colleagues. We speak to the players about current topics, such as how they should conduct themselves and which measures they can take during such an unusual period. We also have online meetings and lessons, given that it’s not always easy to travel around.”

Sticking with that topic, how has the Covid-19 pandemic been for you?

“I’ve stayed relatively calm and have been trying to go out as little as possible, keep my distance and do what’s necessary. I’ve been living in Rimini on a permanent basis since I stopped playing as it’s where my roots are.”

What does Roma mean to you?

“It was the peak of my career. That’s when I felt like a bona fide player. I’d been playing in Serie A for many years, but I became complete at Roma and really matured. That’s how it has to be, given the way the city lives for football and how the club constantly looks after its players.”

How do people live for football in the Italian capital?

“With passion on a daily basis on the radio, on TV and in newspapers. Then you have fans outside Trigoria every day. There’s continuous interest in the team; it’s relentless.”

Is that an advantage or a disadvantage when you’re out on the pitch?

“It depends. If things are going well, you have that extra push. If things are going badly, you’re held responsible more than you should be.”

Fonseca’s side is facing Cluj away on Thursday 26 November in the Europa League. Do you remember the very same date back in 2008 in Cluj?

“How could I forget? It’s the match that I’m the most nostalgic about and it brings back such happy memories. I scored a brace, which was a rare feat for me, and to do so in the Champions League was a dream, the type you have as a boy hoping to become a professional footballer.

"We won 3-1 to seal our place in the round of 16, after making life difficult for ourselves in the group by losing our opening game at the Olimpico against none other than Cluj.”

That squad was so full of passion and enjoyed success. What was the secret?

“We were united and close as a squad. There was a huge collective desire to play well and win games. We had a strong squad that was brimming with talent.

"I had an excellent relationship with everyone. It’s easy to say Francesco Totti, but also Daniele De Rossi, Simone Perrotta, Max Tonetto, Marco Cassetti and Mirko Vucinic, who I spent so much time with.”

You joined Roma in summer 2004 as part of the deal that took Emerson to Juventus. Your club debut didn’t come until 2007, however, after three years at Chievo. Do you regret not being able to make the move earlier?

“No, looking back I don’t have any particular regrets. My time in Verona was a crucial step forward as I was able to play regularly. I then joined Roma as a more established player, so I was able to successfully integrate myself at a very high level.”

Thanks to Luciano Spalletti...

“Certainly. I’ll always have the coach to thank. He means so much to me. He showed his confidence in me and made me feel at ease within a squad that was coming off the back of Coppa Italia success.

"It was no coincidence that he handed me my debut in the Italian Super Cup at San Siro against Inter. I came on for Ludovic Giuly at half-time and we got our hands on the trophy thanks to a 1-0 victory, with De Rossi scoring the winner from the penalty spot.”

How often do you follow football and Serie A nowadays?

“I often watch games whenever I can, Roma included, of course.”

What do you make of the current team? Roma are winning games and putting in convincing performances...

“The team has managed to perform consistently post-lockdown. There have been few changes since last season and some quality players have been brought in, such as Pedro.

"Player rotation has been bearing its fruits as well. Everyone is pulling in the same direction and that’s so important in the dressing room. Paulo Fonseca’s influence is there to see and Roma are playing exciting football.”

"Roma ha rappresentato l'apice della mia carriera, a Cluj una notte da sogno"