AS Roma fan asked, he answered. Here's what Lorenzo Pellegrini had to say in response to fan questions sent in on social media.
Currently observing quarantine in Italy like the rest of the population, Pellegrini is nevertheless keeping fit and active during this unexpected spell at home. He answered questions about his current routine, along with a number of other enquiries about his career to date and hopes for the future.
AS Roma Ru: what's your daily routine these days?
"I get up early to take my two dogs out. I spend a lot of time with my daughter Camilla and my wife. I have lunch and then, in the afternoon, I go through the training programme that I receive on a daily basis from the club staff. After that, I spend more time with Camilla and my wife, maybe watch a film and a TV series."
Are you getting bored at the moment? How much do you miss football?
"I miss normality a lot but I'm using this time to be with my family. I can't wait to get back into my usual routine – training in Trigoria and our matches. I hope that things can soon get back to normal for everyone and that this whole situation will be resolved as positively as possible."
Bob: how did it feel to score a backheel in the Rome derby?
"That's a game I have more fond memories of from last season. We’d been on a difficult run of form and the derby was a potential turning point, which is turned out to be, to an extent, including for me personally. Just think what a moment like that means for a boy from Rome, with a whole family of Roma fans, to come on during a derby and to score, at such a tough time for the team, when just nothing was going right for us. My father was there at the stadium and I heard he had to go inside and drink a glass of water because he felt like he was going to faint".
AS Roma Ru: if you could have picked a sport other than football, what would it have been?
"Tennis is the sport I follow the most. It's very different to football – since it’s an individual sport, you only rely on your own strengths. I played it as a kid but I'm not very good at it. I prefer watching it. My favourite tennis players are [Roger] Federer and [Novak] Djokovic".
Ro: what’s your favourite film genre?
"I like crime films, especially those inspired by true stories. One film I can recommend to everyone is Law Abiding Citizen. See it if you get the chance".
Manuela: what's the most intense emotion you've felt so far in your time at Roma?
"I could say Roma v Barcelona but, personally, the memory that still gives me the chills is our arrival at the stadium for Roma v Liverpool. Although we’d lost 5-2 away from home, hundreds of fans welcomed the coach and cheered us on. It took us 15 minutes to cover the last 500 metres. I never thought I could experience something like that".
David: what do you remember about your debut at Cesena? What did Rudi Garcia say to you before the game and before you came on? Did you already know you’d feature?
"Rudi Garcia used to knock on all the players' doors before every game to wish them good luck and to pass on final instructions. That day he told me to be ready. I was absolutely dying to play. When he sent me out to warm up, I knew that maybe it was time to make my debut. I cannot thank him enough for this – we have a beautiful relationship. When I came on, there was a bit of trepidation. We were in a tough period and we were 1-0 up, thanks to a goal from Daniele [De Rossi]. There were 25 minutes left to play and I went straight into the game – I wanted Roma to win. There was a sense of tension but once I was on the pitch, everything became easier. The periods just before and after the match were more exciting than the match itself."
Cinzia: hello from Florida! Could you describe your latest tattoo? Is it for Camilla?
"Yes, it's a C with a star on my neck, dedicated to her."
Francesca: how much has Camilla's birth changed you?
"A great deal. When I’m in a bad mood or angry, any negative feelings simply pass when I see her. She’s a constant source of inspiration – knowing that I have a responsibility to pass on to her the education that I had, to make her understand life is something to be proud of. My family is fundamental to me, so are my parents, my brothers and my cousins. They're all important to me."
Daniele: you often produce long and accurate passes without looking, as well as spectacular assists that remind us of [Francesco] Totti. Who do you resemble in footballing terms?
"I will never be Francesco. He is a legend, a champion, a reference point. Obviously, I am very pleased to hear comments like that, but Francesco is Francesco and there will never be anyone born like him. Totti is Totti, I am Lorenzo. It’s difficult to say who I resemble. I don't like to make comparisons. I’m just trying to be the best Lorenzo I can be for Roma’s cause."
TeamDDR: is there a TV series you’d recommend?
"I just finished watching The Following. It's a crime series and, with the extra time I have available, I've already seen all three seasons. It was very intriguing."
Diego: is there a moment from your time with the Primavera squad that you remember particularly fondly
"Every time I think back to my time with the Primavera side my blood boils that we weren’t able to win a trophy. In the 2014-15 season we played two semi-finals and two finals but we never had enough to win. Having said that, I still have a really close bond with the other players from that team. One of my most special memories is the goal I scored against Manchester City in the Youth League in Latina. That goal put us 2-0 up and once it went in we realised that we were going to make it to the Final Four in Nyon. The stadium was packed – it was amazing".
Who were your idols as a kid?
"As a Roma fan from Rome, my idols were always Francesco [Totti] and Daniele [De Rossi], just like they were for my cousins, my dad, the whole family. Aside from those two, a player I’ve always admired is Ronaldinho. He had such class that he could transfix you. He was entertaining because first and foremost he had fun when he was playing. As well as his technical ability and quality, I really admired how much he enjoyed himself out there".
Fossilrocket: what’s been the toughest injury you’ve had to overcome?
"The tiny fracture I sustained to my fifth metatarsal in the game against Lecce was tough because I was in good form and I wasn’t expecting to have to have an operation. But as soon as I could, I knuckled down and worked morning and afternoon to get back to fitness – and I’m happy with the way I came back".
Wahiu: did you know that Roma have loads of fans in Indonesia?
"I’ve seen several videos, including of when Roma played a friendly in Jakarta. It’s impressive and unexpected and it definitely makes us proud".
What’s the best goal you’ve scored for Roma so far?
"My best goal was perhaps the one I scored against Fiorentina in December, because of the move that led up to me shooting. I have fond memories of my first goal for the club, against SPAL in front of the Curva Sud. That said, I hope to score some even better ones soon!".
What’s your ultimate dream as a player?
"To win. I try to learn everything I can and absorb the right kind of mentality from people that have had success. I know that in order to win you can never give an inch – so that’s what I try to do. You obviously have ups and downs, but what makes the difference is the way you handle those. I try to stay calm and just focus on working hard. I try to visualise myself as a train travelling on its tracks, never stopping no matter what obstacles it encounters. For me and for my team, my hope is that we can win".
How does it feel to play for the team you’ve supported since you were a lad?
"It’s an amazing feeling. I think of all the kids who I used to play with when I was little and who now come to the stadium to support Roma. I feel like all of those kids are part of me and I’m part of them. It’s a fantastic feeling. It’s almost indescribable. It’s one of the best things ever, not just for me but for my family too. My dad is like a hero to me so to know how emotional he feels when he sees me take to the field in the Roma jersey makes me even more proud".
(Photo Getty Images)
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Source: legaseriea.it