Cristante: Ritiro a chance to work harder

The game at the Doosan Arena gets underway at 18:55 local time.

Read what Cristante had to say ahead of the contest, as the side look to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Cagliari in Serie A.

After the ritiro this week, how are you feeling going into tomorrow’s game?

“These things happen in football. The ritiro has given us the chance to work harder and grow closer as a group. Continuing to work hard is the only way we are going to improve, and we are doing things in the right way.”

It seems like you have grown in stature over the last few games: is that fair?

“Yes, personally I feel like I’m getting better – I’m working hard to improve. But you can never rest, sometimes you need a bit of time to adjust to a new team and environment but we will keep working out there on the pitch to reach our targets.”

Given how things went last season, did you expect things to be different this year?

“In football every season is unique. The one thing that will never change is the need to work hard: if you do that, then the results will come.”

You made your debut for AC Milan against Viktoria Plzen back in 2011, what has changed for you since then?

“I’m a different player, in every way. At that time I was a Primavera kid making his debut, but since then all the experience I have picked up has helped me to grow and evolve – from a physical, mental and technical perspective.”

Roma are already through to the knockout stages as runners-up. So what is the main motivation going into tomorrow’s game?

“Every game, every chance you have to play in the Champions League is something to motivate you. Right now it is even more important as we need to find consistency and confidence in our play.”