A tired but happy Roma on the eve of the match against Torino where De Rossi also found time to comment on De Zerbi's Brighton, calling his colleague a "genius".
But don't talk to him about being hungover from the joy of moving on to the next round.
"If we enter the pitch against Torino drunk with enthusiasm then it will mean that as a coach I will have done everything wrong", the coach's conference debut.
Because it's right to be happy about the round of 16, but now your mind must return to the field and the Champions League race.
"From here on it will all be finals", adds the former Roma captain.
Starting from Monday, when the Granata team arrives at the Olimpico.
"It's the worst to face after 120 minutes of a match, but the team is ready and it's good in the locker room."
It's impossible not to think about some changes to the lineup because Llorente won't be called up due to the head injury he suffered against Feyenoord and the conditions of many players will need to be assessed.
De Rossi will take every last minute to make choices, including that of Smalling.
"We have to understand whether to use him from the start or during the match", admits the coach, while speaking of Lukaku the line remains the same as in recent days.
"He is calm and serene. He was among the first to run under the South on Thursday - explains De Rossi - We haven't even analyzed the missed penalty, it can happen. In the 120th minute only a miracle from the goalkeeper denies him the goal and in the he scored in the first leg. I couldn't be happier."
For the future, the idea is to try him paired with Abraham, but the Englishman won't be back for three weeks, so tomorrow his attacking partner could be Azmoun (making Dybala take a breather).
Chance also for Baldanzi from the 1st minute considering the non-optimal condition of Pellegrini who will still be on the bench.
In short, many doubts to resolve and a request to the team: "Great intensity, because we can't stop".
So an extra effort against Torino to catch a breath without midweek commitments in view of the return of the Europa League when friend De Zerbi's Brighton arrive at the Olimpico on 7 March.
"For me he is a genius - says De Rossi - You may like it or not but he has brought something new and whoever does it is a brilliant coach. You can't ape someone who is brilliant from that point of view, but I think he is someone who has changed something and that everyone wants to imitate."
Words of praise to which are added those of friendship given that the two are also linked by their respective daughters, both in London.
"They go to the Roma clubs together to watch the matches, but I don't think Elisabetta (De Zerbi's daughter, ed.) will wear the yellow and red scarf in the next two matches", De Rossi's joke with which the conference ends while waiting for the field confirms its verdict.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA