Aquilani, who returns to Sassuolo after replacing Fabio Grosso — departed for Fiorentina — took the opportunity to push back gently against the idea that the club's home city carries less weight than the Serie A giants.
"It's really wonderful to see so many people here, it's an honour and a privilege to be here, and that comes with a real sense of responsibility for a club as important as this one. I hear people talk about a small population, but that doesn't make one club more important than another," he said.
The Rome-born coach, who played 16 matches for Sassuolo during a brief loan spell in 2017 after a career that also included Roma, Liverpool, Juventus and Milan, reflected on returning to Emilia in a different role.
"I was already here as a player and I found a group of people who, especially on a human level, let you work well. I found a group of strong players, and I take on the responsibility, but I'm pleased because I came with my staff to try to do our best. Sometimes in football people speculate on certain words, but courage is a word I like — I hope and expect to pass that on more than any particular system of play."
Aquilani arrives having led Catanzaro to last season's Serie B promotion play-off final, where his side lost to Monza. On the standard of Italian football, he added: "It's the peak — you can make comparisons with the past, but it's still Serie A, a difficult league with strong players and coaches that demands maximum commitment.
"For me it's the first time, I'm a newcomer from this point of view, but luckily I'm not the one playing — the players are, because they're the protagonists and we have to put them in the best position to perform."
Matic, Sassuolo's midfield leader, also took to the stage, addressing recent transfer speculation linking him with a return to Juventus.
"I feel good here, I'm very, very happy, and so is my family, which is very important. I always want to help these young lads, like Domenico and like Pina" — he laughed as he said the nickname — "and I'm here to pass on my experience, and I keep doing that. I'm happy here, I hope I can play two or three more years and keep working every day with this man here, Remo Morini, I'm very proud. Thanks to the fans for everything. We want to do better next season, we want to give everything."