Alisson: I've improved in the small details

See what the goalkeeper had to say below...

It's a new season and you're working with [goalkeeper coach Marco] Savorani again...

“Yeah. We worked really well together last term, with [Wojciech] Szczesny and [Bogdan] Lobont. Szczesny had a superb season in Serie A and when I was at my best I think I did a good job too. It's partly thanks to Savorani and the brilliant job he did with us. We know we can do even better and we're working hard to make sure we do.”

How much of the real Alisson did we see last year?

“I didn't play as much as I'd have liked and when you're not playing a lot it's hard to be at your best. You get into your stride when you're playing week in week out. I aim to keep improving little by little because I want to be the best.”

What do you think Francesco Totti could offer in a management role?

“It's always best to have Totti with us. He can help bridge the gap between the players and the management. He knows everyone, he's spent a long time working with us and he's spent years at Roma so he knows everything there is to know. He would help us a lot. He's a great bloke too.”

What's your first impression of Eusebio Di Francesco?

“We're getting to know each other a bit better every day. We know what he did at Sassuolo and he did well there. We had an excellent season last year and we just came up a bit short but I think he can iron out the little problems. He's a smart coach and a former player so he knows how to speak to everyone and get the most out of the squad. That bodes well for the coming season.”

Is diving at feet the area of your game you've improved most since coming to Italy?

“It is, yes. It's the small details I've improved in – the little movements that I've been able to work on here in Italy. It's helped me improve.”

Is it true you could gain EU citizenship?

“Yes, that's something we're working on. My wife has German and Italian relatives. We're trying to get dual Italian-Brazilian nationality.”

Di Francesco plays with a high defensive line. What's that like as a goalkeeper?

“I play the way the coach wants me to. The main thing is you keep learning in training and make sure you're ready when you play. Last year I came out to intercept the ball 40 yards from goal a few times – it happens. You just have to be willing to learn and make sure you calculate things right.”

There's been talk of Diego Alves joining Roma. What would that mean for you?

“It doesn't change anything for me. I just get on with my job. I want to do my best for Roma and I respect whoever I work with as they help me improve and do what's best for Roma. That's all that matters.”

You were backup to Szczesny last season. Did he give you any advice?

“I don't think I was backup. I was first choice in Europe and he was first choice in the league. I learnt from him and he learnt from me. Wojciech has a strong personality and he doesn't let mistakes bother him. He wants to win and he's a good lad too. I did find it quite tough not playing as much as I'd have liked but that doesn't matter now – only this season does.”

Do you train differently if you know you're first choice?

“No, it doesn't change the way I work. I've always tried to give my absolute all. We didn't know whether Szczesny would be coming back at the start of last season so I trained as if I was going to play every game. If I want to do well for Brazil, I have to do well for Roma.”

It seems you goalkeepers are working less with your feet this year.

“That's an area where I've come on a lot. We would sometimes spend two days just working with the ball at our feet. At the moment the boss is focusing more on specific defensive and attacking drills. We'll have time to work with our feet in America.”

Gerson didn't make much of an impact last season. What do you think he needs?

“He just needs to play – and he really wants to. When we're out there we all do our jobs; he just needs to play. He's learnt a lot, language-wise too. He's young but I think he's ready to play and show what he can do.”

You played 15 games last season. Are you ready for a whole league season as Roma's first-choice keeper?

“You're always a little nervy at the start but I'm not afraid. My time has come: it's what I wanted to do last season and wasn't able to. I'll do my very best for Roma.”