The former Roma Primavera coach praised the 19-year-old’s mentality and development after his Serie A debut against Fiorentina.
Former Roma youth coach Gianluca Falsini has praised Emanuele Lulli following the academy graduate’s impressive Serie A debut.
Speaking exclusively to Rete Sport, the current Como Primavera coach reflected on working with Lulli during his time in Roma’s Under-16 and Primavera teams.
“First of all, I would talk about the person,” Falsini said. “He is incredible—a Roma supporter with Giallorossi blood running through his veins. He is resilient and knows how to listen. We would all want him as a son because he is extraordinary.”
“Emanuele has an incredible engine, and his best quality is his ability to improve continuously. When I started coaching him, he had great physical ability, strength and power. He experienced some problems while trying to rebalance his body, but he overcame them by working with dedication every day.”
Falsini moved by Lulli’s Roma debut
Lulli started Roma’s 4-0 victory over Fiorentina after injuries and fitness concerns limited Gian Piero Gasperini’s options on the right flank.
“I will not deny that I watched Roma-Fiorentina again and had tears in my eyes,” Falsini continued. “Coletta, Di Nunzio and Nardin possessed a certain type of talent. I coached them and helped them improve, especially mentally, but they already had a particular foundation.”
“Lulli was not like that. Seeing him play at the Olimpico under so much pressure therefore made me very happy.”
Falsini believes Gasperini’s demanding system can help Lulli continue developing.
“His strength is his intensity. He has a good first touch and control of the ball. He still needs to improve his finishing, crossing, shooting, short passing and one-on-one defending.”
“He is 19, patient and willing to work. He will certainly improve, and Gasperini’s style suits him perfectly because he must run a lot without the ball. I am delighted for him and his family.”
“This was not a first-class pathway. He was never called by the national youth teams, and when he was supposed to join the Under-17s, he became ill and could not go. Lulli is an example for every other player in the academy.”
“He is a young Palestra”
Falsini compared Lulli’s physical qualities with those of Atalanta wing-back Marco Palestra.
“He is a young Palestra,” he said. “He has excellent physical qualities, but he must grow technically—otherwise, he would already be playing for Real Madrid.”
“He has quietly improved every year, so he is a player who will make it.”
Falsini reacts to Roma’s strong Serie A start
Falsini also discussed Roma’s 4-0 opening-day victory and the early Serie A picture.
“Roma frightened everyone with the 4-0 win over Fiorentina,” he said. “Then there are the usual teams: Inter are clearly the strongest, Napoli will finish among the top two or three, I hope Como repeat last season and I do not think Juventus will have another mediocre campaign.”
“It should be a compelling Serie A season. We will understand more once the transfer window closes, because one match cannot provide a definitive judgment.”
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