Long-term international colleagues and 2006 World Cup winners met for the first time in the Serie A dugouts during the re-started match between Udinese and Roma on Thursday evening, which resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Giallorossi thanks to Bryan Cristante’s 95th-minute header.
It was Cannavaro’s first game in charge of Udinese since his appointment as head coach on Monday, and his reign could not have started in more unusual circumstances.
Play began from the 72nd minute on Thursday, which is where the game had been left off after Evan Ndicka was taken ill during the original match on April 14.
De Rossi admitted during his post-match press conference that he had ‘no idea’ what he was supposed to do in preparation for the quick-fire showdown in Udine. He was, however, still the one celebrating at full-time.
The former Italy internationals have met as coaches once before, in Serie B, when they were in charge of SPAL and Benevento, but this was the first time that they had met in the Italian top flight.
What De Rossi said about Cannavaro
De Rossi fielded questions on his relationship and recent encounters with Cannavaro during his post-match interviews. He said that last time they met, it was Cannavaro’s team who put in the better performance.
