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    30 years on, Bruno Conti reflects on his Roma farewell


    Thirty years on from his final Roma game, Bruno Conti reflects on his farewell to the club...

    On 28 November 1990, Roma were 5-0 up in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last-16 encounter with Bordeaux when Carlos Bianchi brought on Bruno Conti with ten minutes left to play.

    It would be his last appearance in a Roma jersey.

    When asking ‘Mara-Zico’, as he was once dubbed, what first comes to mind when he thinks of Roma, he replied: “The tears of joy in my father’s eyes. And the roar of the Olimpico.”

    Speaking exclusively to asroma.com, Conti explained: “I’ll never forget the look on my father’s face when I told him that I – one of his seven children – was joining Roma. He was a Roma fan and it made him the happiest man alive. I was going to play for the team he loved."

    He added: “I can’t deny that my last season was difficult, as is often the case for great players. I remember the roar of the Stadio Olimpico when I came on as a sub against Bordeaux. I remember the fans screaming my name. I have them to thank for those last 10 minutes. That day I understood there was no room for me in that team anymore.

    “When I saw Francesco Totti’s film it took me back to my own final, tormented, season. At the end of that year I was faced with a dilemma: continue playing at another club or tie my name to Roma forever.

    “I had plenty of offers from other clubs but I had grown up in the Roma academy and made my debut under Nils Liedholm. After 17 years in a Giallorossi jersey, I just couldn’t see myself wearing any other colours, so I preferred to call it a day. I organised my farewell with Gilberto Viti [Roma’s organisational secretary for many years]. It was the right thing to do: I was born into Roma.

    “I liked coaching and after hanging up my boots I got my badges at Acquacetosa and Coverciano. Roma called me and asked me to take on the ‘79/80 crop, with the likes of [Manuele] Blasi and [Daniele] De Vezze.

    “I was over the moon. You might be a good player but when it comes to coaching, you still have to learn the ropes, and it was the same for me.

    “Then, when Ermenegildo Giannini – Giuseppe’s father – left the youth academy, the club placed me in charge. I enjoyed coaching but I couldn’t say no to Roma, so I threw myself into the job. I got a lot of enjoyment out of it too.

    “I’m still here now and I’m honoured to be wearing these colours. Because this is ROMA. You don’t question Roma; you love Roma – especially if you grew up at the club, like me.

    "I’m proud of the fact that I’ve always stayed in this great family.”