Latest news with #Olimpico
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
❗️Baldanzi: Joined Roma for DDR, thoughts on Ranieri and Italy
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. The Roma playmaker Tommaso Baldanzi gave an exclusive interview to Cronache di Spogliatoio, where he reflected on the incredible season experienced by the Giallorossi. Many topics were discussed. "I don't know what magic pill he used on us, but he hit the right notes. He brought back calm and play: he was a very important figure. I don't think there was a specific key, and maybe that's the beauty of it. We knew we had to wake up. We told ourselves, 'We have to win as many matches as possible to save the season,' we didn't have a specific goal. And then we ended up playing for the Champions League. Before, there was a lot of sadness and anger. In this locker room, there are really strong players. If the results don't come, you're already unconsciously angry, let alone when you're aware of your strength. We needed to make a change. We succeeded, I don't know if it was more thanks to the coach, the training, or the hard work. Ranieri gave me many opportunities, I always felt his trust: even when not starting, I played significant parts of games, useful for the team and to show my qualities." "I was very sorry about De Rossi's dismissal. He was the one who brought me here, he made it clear right away how much he wanted me. He gave a young guy the opportunity to move from Empoli to a big team like Roma. We worked a lot together, I felt how much he believed in me. He had worked hard to bring me to Roma. And then he was the first person I met here. Coming from a small place like Empoli, the first day I entered Trigoria, I said, 'Oh my God, 400 people. Do they all work here?'. It took me a moment, I felt disoriented. And he was there for me." "Dybala is a golden person, really, besides being the strongest I've played with. I would like to see! In the past, I had said that, compared to Dybala, on a scale from 1 to 10 I wasn't even there: now maybe I've made some progress, maybe we're at two! Making my debut by replacing him was magical. I had already played at the Olimpico against Roma, but when those people are on your side, it's even more impressive. In September, I scored my first goal in the Giallorossi jersey against Udinese: I wanted to explode all my joy under the curve, but the moment was a bit particular. I thought: 'Maybe it's better not to'. However, goals and assists have been my weak point this year: I have made good performances, but on a personal level, I would have liked to do more." "We joke about it, but the Empoli youth academy is like an oven: every year, very strong guys come out. Even there, I don't know what the right pill is, but the work they do with the youth sector is incredible. Empoli is a perfect place for a young person: they give you the opportunity to grow, to make mistakes. Elsewhere it would be much harder to emerge, and in the long run, it could penalize you. It was 13 years of pure joy. Some were like second fathers to me, I will thank them forever. At Empoli, they called me 'the Little Buddha'. It was a nickname given to me by coach Buscé in the Primavera. I never managed to give myself an explanation. I keep asking myself too. Actually, there is a reason, but I never understood it. With the coach, I always had a great relationship, we still talk very often. Together we won two championships: the first with the U16. I still remember one of his speeches: 'Tommy, you need to believe more in yourself and your abilities because you are really strong'. From there, I exploded, those words helped me a lot. And then also with the Primavera where I scored a double in the final against Atalanta: a cycle was closed. At Empoli, I shared the room with Asllani: we have a beautiful relationship, we talk often, but I still haven't written to him for the Champions League final. I didn't want to bother him." "When I scored at San Siro against Inter, I really didn't understand anything anymore. Scoring in such a stadium is every kid's dream. And then it's priceless: that goal won us the match, bringing us closer to our goal. The number 35 jersey? I'm very attached to it now, but at first, there wasn't a real reason. I was with the Empoli kit men, we had to hurry and quickly choose the number because I had to go on the bench. There were 32, 33, and 35. I was undecided: 'I don't know, whatever'. And one of them said: 'Come on, I'll put 35'. The following year, when I was permanently in the first team, I told them: 'Well, you've decided, put 35'. Number 10, my favorite number as a child, was also available, but I was sure: 'No, we've decided on 35. Let's go with that'. And so, in Rome, it came naturally to take it. On my left arm, I have my grandfather tattooed and the phrase 'You'll never walk alone'. It has nothing to do with Liverpool, but it's a dedication to him. He was the only one a bit passionate about football. My father played basketball, my mother never understood anything about it. Every day he took me to play, then unfortunately he passed away. I have incredible memories with him, which is why I decided to tattoo him." "Edoardo and I are friends off the field as well. He helped me a lot from the first moment I set foot in Rome. He took care of everything. He would say: 'Do you need someone to find a house? Call here. Or do you want a restaurant? Go here, trust me'. I came from a small village, with two restaurants. Imagine. EURO2025 will be a tough tournament, after a heavy season and against very prepared teams. Even here, we are at the end of a cycle: from next year we won't be there anymore. Provided, of course, that the senior National team doesn't call us: I was called up by coach Mancini for the training camp, it was very nice and exciting. We are keen to do well: we have always played great friendlies or excellent matches in the qualifying phase. Now we want to go as far as possible, I won't say more. With the U20, we reached the final in the 2023 World Cup against Uruguay: I would like to erase that match from my mind. It was a pity because we were a group that no one believed in: with the championship still ongoing, many couldn't come. Yet we did very well, we had fun, we were very united because we grew up together. Only the final was really missing." 📸 Michael Campanella - 2024 Getty Images
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celik: 'Ranieri made us believe again.'
Zeki Celik praised Claudio Ranieri for his impact in helping Roma turn their season around. After Torino-Roma, the Turkish fullback wanted to thank Roma fans for being by the team's side throughout the season. Advertisement The Giallorossi defender posted on his Instagram profile, a series of images with the following caption: 'This season wasn't easy. We had a tough start, tough moments… but we never gave up. As a team, we stood up again, fought together, and finished strong. Huge respect and thanks to Mister Ranieri — he helped us believe again. The support you gave us at the Olimpico in every match… we felt it, and it meant everything. Forza Roma, always.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch: Underwhelming Lazio Fail to Break 10-Man Lecce
The official Serie A YouTube channel uploaded the highlights from the final-day contest between Lazio and Lecce. The Biancocelesti needed a single point to secure a spot in the Conference League, but they couldn't put down the Giallorossi. The visitors stunned the Olimpico by snatching the lead late in the first half through Lassana Coulibaly who pounced on Mario Gila's mistake. Player Ratings: Lazio 0-1 Lecce – Romagnoli & Gila Lose Their Heads A few minutes later, Lecce were reduced to ten when Santiago Pierotti was given a second yellow card for tripping Nuno Tavares. Nevertheless, the home side was still unable to break the resistance despite having a numerical advantage for an entire half. Taty Castellanos, Matteo Guendouzi and Pedro were all denied by an inspired Wladimiro Falcone, while Boulaye Dia's header pounced off the woodwork. In the final minutes, Alessio Romagnoli's foolish red card illustrated a campaign that started on a positive note, but ended up being a major letdown.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Klopp to Roma could be a rumor created by amateur sleuths
FILE - Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp gestures to fans at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London stadium in London, Saturday, April 27, 2024. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) ROME (AP) — Roma fans have been driven into a frenzy by Italian media reports that Jürgen Klopp has agreed to be the team coach from next season. However, the rumor of his imminent arrival stems from a social media post that some may be reading far too much into. Advertisement Roma owner the Friedkin Group posted a video on Friday celebrating the capital club and its legacy. The video included images of iconic Rome sites: Colosseum (Kolosseum in German), Lupa Capitolina, Olimpico, (St.) Peter's and Pantheon in that order. Someone pointed out the starting letters of those words — some in Italian, some in German, some omitting part of the name — spell Klopp. And it spiralled from there. In the past two days, people on social media have been saying they have spotted former Liverpool coach Klopp, his agent and even his dog in Rome. Italian newspaper La Stampa proclaimed that Klopp accepted Roma's offer shortly after the Giallorossi's final home match of the season on Sunday, when a packed Stadio Olimpico paid tribute to current coach Claudio Ranieri, who is set to depart at the end of the season. Advertisement Other media outlets picked up La Stampa's story, but the same newspaper said on Tuesday that Roma has 'categorically denied' the news. Klopp, who is Red Bull's head of global soccer, left Liverpool in 2024 after steering the team to seven major trophies over nearly nine years. The Friedkin Group also owns Liverpool's city rival, Everton. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Leandro Paredes: 'Scoring tonight was incredible.'
Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes back in the line-up for the Giallorossi as they beat Milan 3-1 in Ranieri's final game at the Olimpico. The Argentine's goal in the second half led Roma to a strong win in their race for Top 4. Advertisement After the match, Paredes spoke to DAZN about the significance of scoring in a packed Olimpico. 'Scoring tonight felt incredible. To be here with my children in this stadium is something else…' 'Champions League? We'll try our hardest, we have an important opportunity on Sunday.'
