Marten De Roon has clarified the controversy over the social media post featuring a middle finger directed at AS Roma, calling it unauthorized. The new Giallorossi midfielder, officially presented after his transfer from Atalanta, spoke in an interview with the club's channels reported by Sky Sport IT.
Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma starts the season with a perfect record, sitting seventh in Serie A with 3 points, 4 goals scored and none conceded. The team is 3 points behind leaders Inter in the standings, which you can check on our standings page.
What happened with the social media post?
Marten De Roon explained he manages his social media profiles with two friends. On that one occasion, the content was posted without his approval. "Sui social scherzo molto, ma quel post non lo avevo autorizzato" (I joke a lot on social media, but I had not authorized that post), said the Dutch player. He admitted he crossed a line and apologized for the incident, stressing that, despite many post-match interviews, that gesture is something he regrets.
De Roon wanted to reiterate that, beyond online chatter, his commitment is all for the pitch. His goal is to prove his worth wearing the Roma shirt and give a great hand to the team.
Why did De Roon choose AS Roma?
The decision to join Roma was driven mainly by the chance to reunite with Gian Piero Gasperini. De Roon was coached by the Italian manager for nine years in Bergamo, where he achieved fantastic results and also served as captain. He described their relationship as very special and thanked Gasperini for helping him grow and reach a high level, and for the opportunity to come to Roma.
The midfielder finds himself in a familiar environment. The squad includes players he knows well, like Bryan Cristante, Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala. Furthermore, he has two new Dutch teammates: Donyell Malen and Devyne Rensch, the latter currently on the injured list alongside Neil El Aynaoui and Lorenzo Pellegrini. You can follow the squad status in our injuries section.
What are the expectations for his debut?
De Roon is eager to make his debut at the Olimpico in front of the Roma fans. He knows he has joined a very strong team and understands Gasperini's game deeply, factors that will allow him to integrate quickly. His experience and leadership will be valuable assets for the Giallorossi midfield.
The first test could come soon, as the next league fixture is against his former team, Atalanta. Roma will host the Bergamo side on September 5th, in a match that promises emotions for De Roon. All fixtures are available in our fixtures calendar.
The team will have to manage some important absentees, but De Roon's arrival adds quality and tactical depth to the midfield. His knowledge of the system and the manager's ideas could prove an immediate advantage in the race for the top spots in the table.
