The 2023-24 season thus far has been a ropey one for Jose Mourinho's Roma, so they will have been grateful to continue their Europa League campaign with a second win from two games on Thursday night.
Their matchday two clash with Swiss side Servette was a routine affair, with Romelu Lukaku, Andrea Belotti, and Lorenzo Pellegrini all on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win.
Roma's league form has been desperate this season, with just two wins from the opening seven games leaving them in 13th in the table, and a job on Jose Mourinho's hands to turn things around.
Despite the worrying start to the season, Mourinho's spirits have been surprisingly high in recent days, and they were only buoyed by Thursday's comprehenseive dismantling of Servette.
Mourinho gave a debut to 19-year-old Francesco D'Alessio on Thursday night and, in a jovial post-match interview, shared a touching story about D'Alessio's upbringing in Rome.
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Jose Mourinho shares heartwarming story with Roma youngster
Roma academy product Francesco D'Alessio was the club's newest debutant on Thursday night, as the 19-year-old made his first appearance for the Giallorossi in the Europa League.
🐺 D’Alessio 👍 pic.twitter.com/jgMacw6KdG
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) October 5, 2023
D'Alessio grew up in Rome, and has come up through the club's academy, making his debut an emotional moment for the 19-year-old.
In his post-match interview, manager Jose Mourinho not only made a point of praising D'Alessio - but went on to drag the suited and booted youngster in front of the camera to share a touching story from the midfielder's childhood.
🎙️ José Mourinho su Francesco D’Alessio al termine di #RomaServette 🥹#ASRoma #UEL pic.twitter.com/S1VJFz1oXk
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) October 6, 2023
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As a child, D'Alessio would stand at the gates of Roma's training ground at Trigoria in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the first team in training.
Mourinho revealed that D'Alessio had shared this story with him during his first training sessions with the side this summer - and had opened the gates to let the local children in to watch the team in action:
First of all, let me tell you a story - come over here!
In the summer, before the kids went back to school, we were training and there were loads of kids outside Trigoria screaming because they wanted to come inside to watch training.
He [D'Alessio] was with us and he said, 'When I was seven, eight, nine, I was out there screaming because I wanted to come in. No coach opened the gates to let me in. I was very happy for the kids because I opened the gate and let them in.'
Now he's playing for Roma! In the Europa League, in the Stadio Olimpico in front of 50-60,000 people, with your family - who's here? Mum, dad and sister.
I don't want to say anymore - he can talk! Well done boy!
The beautiful moment showcased a side to Jose Mourinho that is often lost while the Portuguese coach is on media duties, given his tendency to veer into slightly more bizarre territory.
One would assume we will see more of D'Alessio as the years go on, and his debut in front of family at the Stadio Olimpico was a night to remember - not least because of the high praise earned from his manager.
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