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My heart has always been with the Giallorosso and I also used to sing the Roma anthem inside Lazio's dressing rooms
Aleandro Rosi
His role model is Cristiano Ronaldo but 19-year-old winger Aleandro Rosi, the latest product of the prestigious AS Roma's youth system, is starting to make his own name in Italy and Europe.
'Immense joy'
Just ten minutes into his UEFA Champions League debut, as a second-half substitute for Marco Cassetti at Olympiacos CFP, Rosi set up Simone Perrotta's winner in a victory that proved to be crucial for the Giallorossi in their qualification from Group B. "Making an assist on my UEFA Champions League debut was an immense joy, " Rosi said after the game. "It was my first assist in senior football. It was a great feeling when Perrotta scored."
Club support
Rosi, who made his Serie A debut in May 2005 eleven days after turning 18, played 17 times in Serie A and three in the UEFA Cup last season when the Giallorossi struggled with a series of injuries. Last summer Roma missed out on several of their big transfer targets, but whenever other clubs tried to ask for Rosi in exchange, the answer was always the same: "No." The winger was quick to repay that faith with fine performances this season.
Totti's praise
When another Roma's youngster, striker Stefano Okaka Chuka, scored his first Serie A goal on 13 September, captain Francesco Totti warned of the potential of other young players in the squad. "You will soon see other youngsters scoring for us this season," he said. "I'm sure Rosi will also find the target very soon." The winger did not waste time in confirming Totti's words and eleven days later struck in a 4-0 win against Parma FC. One month later he received his first Under-21 national team call-up having representing Italy at U16 and U19 level in the past.
Lazio roots
Ironically Rosi began his development with Roma's city rivals S.S. Lazio until former Italian international Bruno Conti - then responsible for the Giallorossi's youth system - took him across the Tiber in 1998. "I was eleven then and I did not think twice when Roma called me," Rosi said. "My heart has always been with the Giallorosso and I also used to sing the Roma anthem inside Lazio's dressing rooms."
Spalletti impressed
So Roma have another blossoming graduate from the academy to follow the likes of Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani. "Rosi is certainly a very interesting player," said Roma coach Luciano Spalletti. "He only needs to earn more experience but I'm happy to give him the opportunity to play whenever there is the possibility because he has the potential to become a very important player for this club in the future."
Mancini credited a mix of "technique, strength and samba" for his crucial goal against Olympique Lyonnais as AS Roma won 2-0 in France to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time.
Backheel of God
With his side 1-0 up, the 27-year-old Brazilian, nicknamed 'Tacco di Dio' - the Backheel of God - ever since a cheeky strike against city rivals S.S. Lazio in November 2003, controlled a long Francesco Totti pass before taunting Lyon's Anthony Réveillère with four step-overs, beating his man and drilling the ball home. "It was a beautiful goal and I'm very happy because I scored in a difficult and important match," Mancini said. "It was a mix of technique, strength and samba but mostly I'm happy to have helped Roma to win. We hope to be the big surprise of this UEFA Champions League even if we know it will be very difficult."
Historic win
Mancini's effort, allied to an earlier strike from Totti, helped Roma take the wind out of the home side's sails and handed Lyon a first UEFA Champions League defeat at the Stade de Gerland since 2002. With Roma having been held to a 0-0 draw in the home leg, it was a remarkable outcome. "It was an unforgettable night for us," admitted captain Totti as he reflected on the game. "We proved to everybody that we are very competitive in Europe. Being among the best eight sides in the continent is a great satisfaction for us, the reward for all of our great work."
Final plans
Friday's draw holds no fear for Totti. He said: "If we keep playing like we did against Lyon, we can believe in our chances of reaching the final in Athens. Our coach [Luciano] Spalletti has done a terrific job fielding a very united team that can defend well and attack with great pace." Mancini was not concerned about their opponents in the last eight, preferring to focus on Roma's own performances. "We only need to continue playing like this until the end of the season," he said. However, Totti was hoping that AC Milan would cross his side's path before too long.
Milan meeting
"I hope they beat Celtic [FC in the second leg of their last-16 tie in Milan] and that we will get them in the draw so we will have anther very fascinating tie and an Italian team will be sure of a place in the semi-finals," said Totti, who will be keeping a close eye on what happens at San Siro tonight.
