Baldanzi presser before Dynamo Kyiv

Here's what the midfielder had to say...

How are you doing fitness-wise? How have the team been preparing for this game?

“I feel good. I managed to get a full pre-season under my belt, which is important for us. I feel good physically and mentally.

“Dynamo are a strong, intense team so it's going to be tough, but we want to do well and get our first three points in Europe – we need them.”

You had some time in the spring to settle in at Roma. Do you think that period of time could be useful for another player coming from a smaller club, like Matias Soule? How important was that spell for you?

“When you go from a playing in a team that's lower down the table – with all due respect – to another that's higher, you do need some time to adapt. Soule is a top-quality player. He's settling in slowly but surely. I'm sure he can be a great success.”

There are three left-footers in the attacking midfield positions. Do you think you're better suited to playing inverted, on the right, or left central midfield in a 3-4-2-1?

“It's the same to me. I haven't played on the left very often but to be honest I'm comfortable in both positions because the movements are the same.”

The fans have been staging protests for a month now. What's it like for you in the dressing room?

“To be honest, in the dressing room we only focus on our matches and on playing well. We understand the Curva because things aren't going brilliantly at the moment. We have to try and get them on our side and I think we can only do that by performing well.”

What was the summer like for you? You started in three-man midfield with Daniele De Rossi then the formation changed. Was that time useful for you? Did you feel less responsible as before then you were playing further forward and finding it hard to have many shots?

“It was very important. I'm young and at a big club like this you need to be able to play in different positions if needed. It helped me improve defensively too.”