Roma is his favorite team, he won the Scudetto with Milan: “It was difficult for the Rossoneri to do worse than last season. The Olimpico without the running track would give the Giallorossi 6-7 more points per year. Modric is like Totti, Zanetti, and Maldini.“

He always ran at full speed, so it’s no surprise that he decided to quit in the gym: ”I was running there too, and at a certain point, I asked myself, ‘Why are you doing this?’. It didn’t make sense anymore. It was time to listen to myself. In the last two years, I played in conditions that were not normal for a professional soccer player. And today, if I could go back, I would make the same choice. The proof? I was at the stadium for Milan-Fiorentina, and I didn’t get that feeling of… um… ‘Damn, I wish I was on the pitch.’ But Alessandro Florenzi hasn’t become indifferent to soccer, far from it. In fact, this weekend is his match: on one side is Roma, the team he loves, the team he was born and raised with; on the other is Milan, the team with which he won the Scudetto and ended his career.

Two snapshots of Florenzi, one for each jersey.

“In the Roma jersey, definitely my debut in 2011, when I came on for Totti against Sampdoria. But also the Champions League quarter-final against Barça, a game like that I’ve never experienced before: because of the stadium, because of how perfect we were, because of the game that came out of it. In the Milan jersey, there’s no doubt: the afternoon in Sassuolo, when we won the Scudetto, a trophy I was missing and an immense satisfaction after an extraordinary year.“

Milan-Roma: who has more at stake?

”Milan, because their stated goal is to return to the Champions League, but they can certainly aim for something more. Roma are already top of the table, they play well and the numbers are on their side…”

By the way, did you expect Roma to be doing so well?

“I always thought Roma had a very strong squad, but from a certain point of view, seeing them up there is a surprise. It’s not easy to assimilate Gasperini’s style of play and level of physical preparation in such a short time, and that makes me think there is room for improvement. We’ll have to see where they are in March to understand what they can achieve.“

The same goes for Milan: did you expect them to do so well?

”The truth, straight up? It was really difficult to do worse than last year, from every point of view. The fact that they only have one competition to play in and have brought in such a talented and experienced coach helps, and then they did well in the transfer market: they signed strong players, Modric above all, and experienced ones. But they also had a good starting point, because last year’s team was strong. Then, oh well, there are certain seasons when everything happens and the results aren’t on your side, captain…“

In the Scudetto race, would you put them both in? Tell us your ranking.

”Inter and Napoli are favorites, neck and neck. But be careful, it’s an open race, we’ll have to look at the table in the spring. If Roma stay up there, they can have their say, Milan only have one competition and will definitely stay there, and let’s not forget Juve, who I think will benefit greatly from the change of coach.”

Speaking of only one competition: some say that not playing in the cups has the opposite effect, it eases the tension…

“No. I’ve experienced it firsthand, and I disagree. In my opinion, we won the Scudetto with Milan because we were knocked out of the Champions League, so we were able to work well from a physical standpoint. And today, being physically ready to play a game makes all the difference.”

Milan and Roma have the same problem: the center forward.

“At the root of it, there’s always a problem of confidence. My experience leads me to say that when you don’t have confidence, you tend to sabotage yourself. Then there are different cases: Milan’s center forward is called Santi Gimenez, he gets in front of goal, he has lots of chances, and he’s just a hair’s breadth away from breaking the deadlock. At Roma, on the other hand, no one knows who the center forward is, and it’s a bit of the same problem that Juve has. It’s not a trivial role: it’s like the goalkeeper, you have to know who the starter is. The lack of certainty can affect a player’s season.”

In Rome, the environment is pressing: added value or a weight on your shoulders?

“Let’s not kid ourselves, it’s added value. I get goosebumps just saying it: imagine what the Olimpico would be like without the running track. It would bring in at least 6-7 more points per season.”

You played with the greats: can you explain Modric at 40?

“He makes the difference with his head, with his way of seeing soccer, but above all with the way he has lived it. Modric is like Totti, Maldini, or Zanetti: look at how they have taken care of themselves over the years in terms of nutrition, preparation, and consistency. Modric isn’t who he is because he started a diet last year, to be clear… It’s the journey that counts.“ Can you also explain Leao to us? When will he bring out the champion in him? ”Rafa has his own style, he needs immense confidence, he’ll take the next step when he realizes how strong he is. And it’s no coincidence that everyone is asking him to take that step, because everyone thinks he’s on the verge of becoming a champion. Otherwise, they wouldn’t ask him. I hope he does it soon, because he deserves it and because I love him.”

Gabbia, Bartesaghi, Pisilli, Pellegrini… What’s it like to play wearing the shirt that shaped you?

“Four special guys for me. Pellegrini is a friend, I saw Pisilli grow up, and I think I gave Matteo and Davide something because at Milan they were the young ones and I was the old guy. Playing for ‘your’ team can give you more, but it comes with burdens and honors. You have more pressure than the others, but if you know how to handle it, then it becomes fuel and really makes you fly.“

Camarda scored his first goal in Serie A and dedicated it to you.

”A man of his word. Last year, I teased him a lot because I saw something in him; he’s a guy with incredible hunger. I always told him, ‘For what I’m giving you, you have to dedicate your first Serie A goal to me.’ It was a joke, of course. A simple thank you for my advice is enough for me, like I get from so many other guys. But that dedication made me really happy. I wrote to him the other day, after he missed that penalty against Napoli: ‘Know that I’ll be the one to speak up when things go wrong. When you score your first goal in Serie A, everyone will be happy for you.’“

Do you see another Florenzi around?

”No, I don’t. Maybe there is, but I haven’t noticed. But that’s not because I think there isn’t anyone stronger than me, eh… I’m talking about someone with my characteristics.”