Hermoso's press conference pre-Athletic Club

Here's what our Spanish defender had to say...

Do you feel ready to start such a tricky match?

“Obviously I'm still in the process of adapting to the team and getting to know my team-mates. I also need to improve my fitness if I want to compete at a really high level in such an important competition.

“As a professional footballer getting back to full fitness is the hardest thing there is, but everything is going according to plan. I'm getting to know the team, settling in well and growing in confidence so that I can perform at my best in competitions like this.”

You joined Roma thinking you'd play for Daniele De Rossi and you thanked him publicly for his faith in you. What's the change of coach been like for you?

“One of the reasons I joined Roma was the plans that were set out to me and which convinced me. We have a squad with fantastic players and the club made some excellent signings. Going back to the previous question and what the coach touched upon just now, we have to be demanding with ourselves, as a club and as a team.

“We have to fight and acquire the right mentality – and that's something I hope to be able to help with by conveying the right mindset to my team-mates. When you start winning it improves the club's status. So our goal must be to compete at the highest level in every competition.

“To respond to your question about Daniele, of course I came here because of him. If I'm here, I owe it to him – he's the one who stretched out his hand and I'll always be grateful to him for that. I'm very happy to be in this beautiful city, with absolutely amazing fans. They're similar to Atletico Madrid fans in many ways – passionate people who live and breathe football, who have football running through their veins. People who defend this club. I'm sure we can go a long way together and enjoy lots of great moments together.”

You've played against Athletic lots of times, most recently in Copa del Rey. Has Ivan Juric asked you for any particular advice regarding tomorrow's game?

“Yes, I have played Athletic lots of times – not just with Atletico but before then with Espanyol too. They're a team with a very clearly defined structure whose strength lies in their grit, determination, commitment and solidity as a team. I know them very well. They don't rotate a lot. They basically use the same players and play the same way. Their philosophy and playing style remains the same, regardless of who the coach is.

“They're a typical Basque team that scraps for every ball and fights till the very last minute. They have fast players who get forward quickly. But we know how they play.

“Clearly, I'm somewhat at an advantage so, yes, I shared what I know about their strengths and weaknesses with the coaching staff and my team-mates. But it's essential we match their grit and determination in the duels so that our talent in midfield and attack can win us the game.”

You were used to challenging for the top prizes. Based on your experience, do you think this Roma side is already good enough for the Champions League?

“I think the club has put together a quad with massive potential. Of course, they've brought in some players who came from leagues where they're not used to playing big matches every three days so it will take a while for them to adapt. We have to get used to playing at a very high level every two or three days and expect a lot from ourselves so that we can appreciate a special competition like the Champions League.

“Having played in it for many years with Atletico, I appreciate the importance of those moments, those nights, the special feelings you get both on a personal level and as a city, because people get really excited about these matches.

“We have to raise the bar and set that as our target because the squad we have is perfectly capable of competing at that level.”

Before De Rossi was sacked, did any of the club's management ask you for your opinion? And if so, what did you say?

“I haven't been here long and I'm not very familiar with the set-up, including the management. As footballers, we walk through the dressing room door and that's our world. I don't even know all the people we see every day.

“No one contacted me and no one asked me my opinion. I wouldn't even be the right person to ask given that I've only just arrived. You'd have to ask the captains of the team. They wear the armband for a reason because they're the ones who speak on behalf of the team in the good and the bad. They're the people who have been here the longest and who know the club best.”

What differences have you noticed with La Liga? 

“Every league is different. The Italian league seems to be a bit more physical, a bit more intense, with more individual duels and a different tactical organisation.

“Spanish football is different and has a different philosophy, which becomes more ingrained when the national team is successful with it.

“Teams spread out more and base their game more on possession. It's not a very direct style of football where you often see people breaking through the lines or running with the ball, or where you get a big density in midfield.

 “For all these reasons, Italian football requires a higher level of concentration because if your positioning is off you can leave the team exposed.”