Bove pleased to help rescue a point

After going 2-0 inside the first 25 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, second half finishes from substitutes Cristian Volpato and Bove enabled Jose Mourinho's side to escape with something to show for their efforts.

It was an especially memorable moment for 19-year-old Bove, who scored his first goal for his hometown team.

“It’s an amazing feeling to have scored my first goal,” Bove said.

“There is a bit of disappointment there too, though, because of the result in the end. We wanted to do better in front of all the fans tonight. So there is a bit of a mix of emotions.”

What did the coach tell the team at half-time?

“He didn’t say anything special, but what was said stays in the changing room. The attitude changed a bit for us in the second half, we were more aggressive and in the end we were able to rescue something from a game where we were in trouble.”

For your goal, did you see that the Verona goalkeeper was poorly positioned?

“From that area the goalkeeper is going to be expecting a cross; I didn’t see exactly where he was but I thought it was worth a shot in at the near post … and in the end it worked out well.”

What was your first thought after scoring?

“When you grow up with a team from when you were born, with so many sacrifices from the family to get to where you are, then you can’t help but think of them during a moment like that.”

Cristian Volpato is just 18, you are 19 – did we see the start of a new Roma tonight?

“I wouldn’t put it like that, but in training everyone helps us younger players to improve. Then, whenever we get an opportunity on the pitch, it is up to us to do the best we can. So our progress is also thanks to what our teammates do for us.”