Marian Had, who featured in Slovan Bratislava's 2011 Europa League qualifiers against Roma, has looked back on the shock result in an interview with Sport24, fifteen years on. Roma, starting the American era under Luis Enrique, lost 1-0 in Bratislava and drew the return leg, going out of the competition in a result that was a heavy blow for the Giallorossi and a historic triumph for the Slovak side.
Had said the Slovan players had gone into the first leg believing they were the clear underdogs with nothing to lose. "We started with the idea that they were the clear favourites and that we had nothing to lose. We wanted to enjoy the game as much as possible," Had said. He added that the win was unexpected for everyone: "The success was incredible and nobody expected it. We knew who we were facing and we were realistic. Thank God we managed to go through."
Had also recalled the atmosphere around Totti's substitution, which he said made an already tense match even more heated. "He was really angry. There was a lot of resentment about that substitution. I think Luis Enrique helped us," Had said. He also revealed that Totti's captain's shirt is still in his possession, adding: "Honestly, I don't know who swapped it with him in Rome."
The celebrations in Bratislava were wild but brief, Had said. "Those celebrations were truly wild, but short. We were a fantastic group and the understanding was excellent. The joy was immense at the stadium and also on the plane," he recalled. His most vivid memory involved Slovan's coach of the time: "In Rome he kissed the pitch on his knees for joy. Things like that are never forgotten."
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Erano i preliminari di Europa League, correva il 2011. La Roma iniziava l'era americana con Luis Enrique in panchina, ma la prima uscita europea si trasformò subito in un incubo. Prima la sconfitta per 1-0 a Bratislava contro lo Slovan, poi il pareggio al ritorno e l'eliminazione. Un'impresa…”
Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.
