Mancini: Confidence growing ahead of Europa League

Following the Saturday evening meeting with Juventus, the Giallorossi will then travel to Germany for the closing stages of the European competition – looking to progress as far as they possibly can after a flying finish to the domestic campaign.

“The game against Sevilla speaks for itself, it’s a crucial game in our season,” Mancini said.

“We will go to Germany in the knowledge that we have the ability to do well – we are on a great run of form in the league and we are in a good frame of mind right now. We have to go for it.”

He added:M“The recent run of results has given us confidence. After those three straight defeats we responded positively, and to clinch our qualification for next season’s Europa League with a game to spare was an important thing for us.

“Now we need to finish the season well against Juventus.”

Speaking of his own role in the side’s new 3-4-2-1 system, Mancini acknowledged that it given him a new freedom to hastle the opposition.

“The coach has given me the freedom to bring the ball into the opposition half, and to press the opposition a long way from our own goal too,” he said.

“I like that style of play, because it gives us the chance to blunt the threat of the opposition.”

With off the pitch changes in his life too, Mancini wants to build towards enjoying similar experiences at club level too.

“Becoming a father [to daughter Ginevra] was a really emotional moment for me,” he said. “My life has changed, it’s an incredibly happy feeling. Now, after experiencing something like that I hope to be able to celebrate something similar with Roma.”