It would be a stain on my career: De Rossi

CAIRO – 9 November 2017: Daniele De Rossi thinks that the old clichés about giving 110 percent and asking for the backing of the supporters did not apply to their World Cup qualifying playoff against Sweden.

"These are two games where we cannot make mistakes," De Rossi, a World Cup winner in 2006, told reporters on Wednesday.

"The stakes are so high that, while it is all very well to talk about blood and guts and giving everything until the end, we also require lucidity, organization, technique and running."
"If it were just about treating the match like a battle, anyone could play in Serie A and the national team. We need to play an intelligent game and add in some concentration and experience,” he added.

The player further stated, “to ask for faith from the fans would be inappropriate right now. It’s not the right time. We have to win this game."

De Rossi also said the idea of not qualifying had not crossed his mind: "personally, it would be wonderful to get to my fourth World Cup, even though I don't know if I will play a big part. The World Cup is a something that nobody wants to miss."