Genoa was initially promoted at the end of the season, as champions, but suffered relegation to Serie C1 instead, with Rossi remaining with the team, which achieved promotion in 2006. In the 2006–07 campaign he became club captain, and the club returned to division one alongside Juventus FC, under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The player's versatility – he was capable of producing as either a defender or a midfielder, on either side – made him an undisputed starter, and he contributed to that promotion with three goals.