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Article: De Rossi justifies Capello's faith Italy seek inspiration from midfielder who has become a symbol of their defiance
- Article from:
- The Sunday Telegraph London
- Article date:
- June 22, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2008 The Sunday Telegraph London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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IN the early summer of 2004, while Fabio Capello was preparing to
leave Roma for Juventus, his young midfielder, Daniele de Rossi,
played a leading role in Italy's European Under-21 Championship
success. "De Rossi is the future of this club," declared Capello,
"and of the national team." He was not to know that future would
encompass a 7-1 defeat at Manchester United in the Champions League
two seasons ago (not to mention a missed penalty at a crucial stage
of a quarter-final at Old Trafford last season) and, as far as the
national team were concerned, a red card in the 27th minute of a
2006 World Cup match for one of the ugliest assaults to disfigure
the competition since Toni Schumacher ...