De Rossi joined the Roma youth system from Ostia Mare, where he had played as a striker, in 2000. He made his first-team debut for Roma under manager Fabio Capello on 10 October 2001 against Belgian side Anderlecht in the UEFA Champions League. In his first season with the club, he also made three appearances in the Coppa Italia. The following season, he made his Serie A debut on 25 January 2003 against Como.&lt;ref name="Italy 2002/03"&gt;&lt;/ref&gt; Later that season, his first Serie A start, along with his first league and career goal, came on 10 May 2003 against Torino.