As the star of legend Francesco Totti starts to fade, another Roman’s is rising. Over the past few months, the name on Giallorossi fans’ lips has been Alessandro Florenzi.
Despite performing consistently, Florenzi was never much of a headline maker. But this season the third son of Rome has recently been dominating the headlines domestically and internationally.
He scored three goals in his first eight games of 2015-16 and last week he was linked with a move to Barcelona, such has been the level of his performances.
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The third member of Rome’s Holy Trinity, alongside Totti and Daniele De Rossi, Florenzi seems to have found a permanent position at right-back – though he has featured in a few other positions, most notably as a midfielder to devastating effect against Palermo.
The 24-year old Roman has had plenty of memorable moments already in his career, from making his debut as a substitute for hero Totti to, of course, that unbelievable strike against Barca.
“It’s not easy to pick a favourite goal of my career. A number of them made me feel special,” Florenzi tells Sport360.
“The [bicycle kick] goal against Genoa is definitely in the top three. The one against Cagliari was special because I could hug my grandmother. However, the one against Barcelona is my best one so far.”
Each time Florenzi pulls on the Roma shirt, the importance is not lost on him. Having been a supporter since childhood, he graduated from the club’s academy and bleeds Giallorossi.
Being a supporter and a player can weigh heavy, though, and Florenzi was filmed leaving the pitch in tears after speaking to fans following Roma’s 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina in March of this year.
“Being a fan of the team you play for makes you twice as happy when you win and gives you extra energy and boost,” Florenzi explains. “On the other hand, the pain of a defeat is three times worse when compared to team-mates who did not come through the youth team.
“People ask me who I dream of playing with but I am more than happy with where I am right now. I play and train daily with players like Totti and De Rossi and then get a chance to play with Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon when on international duty. I consider myself very lucky.
“Training every day with top-quality players as well as with such a good coach and coaching staff is making me a better player.”
Having been used as a utility throughout his career, Florenzi appears to have locked down the right-back position this season. When asked which position he favours, he unsurprisingly insists that he is just happy to be in the XI.
“The boss can tell me where he’s playing me even five minutes before kick-off,” Florenzi says. “There is no problem with that. I am always at the team’s disposal. On the right side, I can play at the back, forward or in the middle. No problem whatsoever.”
With Totti thought to be considering finally hanging up his boots at the end of the season, there could be a major void at Roma. But Florenzi believes he is capable of keeping the Roman flame burning at the Stadio Olimpico.
“It won’t be easy to emulate either Francesco’s or De Rossi’s career. However, I would be proud if I could follow in their footsteps. I will do my best to try to achieve it.”
