Totti on Roma meeting De Zerbi and Brighton and De Rossi replacing Mourinho

Francesco Totti admits Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is ‘doing well in England’, but Daniele De Rossi has replaced José Mourinho ‘in the best way’ and has 50% of qualifying for the Europa League quarter-finals.

Roma have been paired with Brighton in the Europa League Round of 16 draw, so there will be an Italian derby between De Rossi and De Zerbi.

“Brighton are a tough opponent, well prepared and trained by an Italian coach who knows our football. He is doing well in England, but there’s a 50% chance of qualifying,” Totti said on Friday, as quoted by TMW.

“I think Daniele [De Rossi] has settled in well and has replaced José Mourinho in the best way. Roma is not an easy place to coach, but I think he’s been doing really well.”

De Rossi and Totti used to be Roma teammates and often met for Padel games after their retirement and before DDR’s appointment as the Giallorossi boss last month.

“He must think about Roma, and I’ll think about Padel,” joked Totti.

“I’ve just finished playing in the World Legend Tour, a very important competition that allows me to meet many ex-teammates and coaches that make us remember how we used to be.”

Roma beat Feyenoord on penalties in the Europa League knockout playoff, while Brighton won their group so they qualified straight away for the Round of 16.

Roma and Brighton will meet in the first leg in Rome on March 7 while the return leg will be played in England on March 14.