Pau Lopez: We're making progress as a team

Read what the Spain international had to say...

Roma are conceding fewer goals now than at the start of the season. What's changed?

“We're improving as a team and the more games we play the more we learn. Lots of new players joined the club and there was a new coach too, so it takes time. We've known from the start that Roma have to win and play good football. We're working really well and getting better by the game. We're on the right track and need to keep going.”

Did you use your feet a lot when you were at Betis?

“I started playing more with my feet at Betis last year I didn't when I was at Espanyol, the club where I grew up. I improved a lot thanks to Quique Setien – it's thanks to him that I got called up to the Spain squad.”

Living in Spain, did you ever get the impression that Italian clubs snub the Europa League? How far do you think Roma can go in the competition?

“I've always thought that Italian teams are very good. I really like the Europa League – I played in it last year too and we got knocked out by a French team [Rennes]. It's an important competition for me and the whole team. We're taking things one game at a time and we have to keep doing that. We mustn't set ourselves any targets now. We'll see where we are at the end of the season and see what we can fight for then.”

Who do you think is the best goalkeeper in the world? Is there anyone in particular you try to learn from because they have a similar style to you?

“I like to learn from all goalies – you can always pick up something from others. As for the best in the world, it's hard to choose just one. I think there are two at the moment: [Jan] Oblak and [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen are a notch over the rest.”

How important is it to learn Italian quickly to make a good start to life in Italian football, as you have?

“I don't know. I think it depends on the individual. I said right from the start that I wanted to learn Italian quickly because it's the best way to get to know the team and the club well. The first two months I had lessons with Claudio [the team's interpreter] nearly every day – it's thanks to him that I learnt Italian so quickly.”

Do you get more adrenaline when there's a striker closing you down as you receive the ball or when you're facing a penalty?

“What we do may look risky but it's not as risky as people think. I like playing the way I do – I enjoy myself more.”