Kalinic: I can play anywhere in attack

The Croatian striker signed for the Giallorossi on deadline day - and met the media for the first time to discuss the move.

“I’m very happy to be here," Kalinic began.

"In my opinion, Roma are a great side and a big club with a lot of history. It’s a new adventure for me and I hope to do well.”

What are your aims, from a personal perspective and for the team?

“First of all I’d like to have an injury-free season because I’ve not played much over the past two years. I want to play more football this year. We’ll take things game by game – I won’t say now that we’ll win the Europa League or anything else. Roma want to play Champions League football. If we commit ourselves, game after game, we’ll see where we end up.”

At times this team has been accused of lacking character. Do you think Roma brought you here to offer some personality?

“I’ve played in Serie A – I’ve got experience of this league. There are lots of other top players and good forwards, like [Edin] Dzeko, who’s constantly performed in recent years. I hope to do just as well.”

Dzeko has played 45 games per season on average since he’s been here. Do you think you can earn a spot in the team?

“It depends on how we play. I think he’s a great forward. The boss will decide whether we play with one or two strikers. I’m here to work hard and we’ll see what happens. I’ve spoken to Dzeko every day – he convinced me to come here.”

Do you think you can play with Dzeko?

“I’m happy in every position in the front line. I played on the left under [Paulo] Sousa. I can play in a front two or in other formations. At Atletico there’d be one striker up top – [Diego] Simeone is very focused on tactics and counter attacking. That was a great experience for me."

Do you think there are any similarities between Paulo Fonseca and your former coach Paulo Sousa? Do you think you can improve here?

“I know Fonseca well – he coached Shakhtar and I also played in Ukraine. I think his way of playing is similar to Sousa’s – we’ll have a lot of possession and I like that way of playing.”