Florenzi: One of the my best wins with Roma

INTERVIEWER: Did you ask to be subbed off because you were tired?

FLORENZI: “I felt a bit of fatigue, in the adductor muscle. I thought I’d ask for a change if it got worse. It didn’t but come 75 minutes, with the game in the bag, I didn’t want to take any risks.”

Was this win an exhibition of Eusebio Di Francesco’s Roma side?

“It’s an important win, for the group. So many elements have come together to produce this crucial win. Edin [Dzeko]’s pressing, the outstanding play in midfield. We held out well at the back too – we didn’t concede and we’re happy about that. Everyone in the team deserves praise.”

Is that one of your best victories in a Roma shirt?

“I think so – a great win and a great fan presence. We’re really happy.”

Does it make a difference playing in a packed stadium?

“Absolutely – yes.”

Has the group matured after this win?

“We’ve got a better grasp of what we can do. Against a top team, we played our football. We did really well this evening.”

In the reverse fixture, [Antonio] Conte said he was worried about playing guys like yourself, [Daniele] De Rossi and [Stephan] El Shaarawy.

“We made things really tough for them. I don’t have much to say about Conte – we had some amazing months with him. We had a great group. He’s one of the best managers around and he remains so, even after today’s defeat.”

How important do you think this win is?

“Very much so – we all know it. But it’s only important if we then push on. If we go to Florence with the wrong mentality, then this win becomes useless. We’d be taking a step backwards and we can’t let ourselves do that. We’ll try to give everything we can out on the pitch and we hope to get a result. After midnight, Roma v Chelsea is over, for me and the team.”