Shop
Here’s what our boss had to say…
Have cup competitions taken on a greater importance, given where Roma are in Serie A?
“Every game is important, as it’s a chance for the team to improve. When I came into the club everyone was worried about what might happen to Roma. Now we’ve just got to do well in every game, and we’ll see where that gets us.”
What’s happened with Mario Hermoso? Why wasn’t he able to bed in? What kind of centre-back are you looking for?
“Please don’t ask about the transfer window. I’ll only talk about Hermoso. When I joined as coach Hermoso was injured, along with some other players. I really like the guy – he plays with a lot of determination, and that’s exactly why he featured in many games for Atletico Madrid. I started out fielding certain defenders, then he got fit again, so logically he was keen to play. I can’t force anyone to get out there on the pitch. That’s why he chose to leave, and I only want players who want to be at the club. I get it - a player of his quality deserves to see some action.”
Devyne Rensch won’t feature tomorrow, but could the Dutchman’s arrival see Alexis Saelemaekers play further forward on the left, in the role where you think he’s at his best?
“With Rensch joining the club it means I can change some things, such as playing with a back four. It allows me to make more rotations.”
Leandro Paredes is crucial to your gameplan. Is there another player in your squad who can offer what he does? What about Bryan Cristante? There are rumours that Paredes is on his way out. Can you guarantee that he’ll stay at least until the end of the season?
"All of the rumours I hear about Leandro emanate from you journalists - I haven't heard them from him. As for Hermoso, if he doesn't want to stay then I won't keep him or anyone else who’d rather leave. Cristante has found his feet again. He’s got different characteristics, but he could play that role. He doesn't possess the directness that Paredes has, but he’s got other qualities. They could play together and complement each other – I’d be happy with that. I knew that in Udine I was sacrificing quality, but it's something I absolutely had to do. I was convinced by my choices and that those players would put in good performances.”
Roma don’t get the best results against the top teams. Is there maybe something you can improve upon when it comes to your approach for these big games?
“There’s always room for improvement. When you’re facing big teams, in terms of your approach, how you play in the final third, and how you play in the middle of the pitch, you have to do really well to contain them and cause them problems. The lads are improving. Cast your minds back to when I started out here and I was surprised when we didn’t play as I hoped in Naples. We’ve managed to do that from the Atalanta game onwards – we’re on the up. Every day I see that the team working to improve. As a coach, this is the best thing to witness.”
You’ve used Matias Soule more in Europe than in Serie A. Are the Argentine’s characteristics more suited to European matches?
“I was unaware that this was the case. I think Soule is a great player. He needs to speed up his play and to be more precise - it’s something that I’m always asking of him. I’m sure that he’ll be an excellent player for Roma in the future.”
In recent days in Milan there has been much talk some AC Milan players attending a concert two days before a match. Yesterday three of your players were at a Max Pezzali gig - had they been granted permission?
“Yes – they asked for permission and they were duly granted it.”
The coach answers a question directed at Mats Hummels, regarding the team's focus at key points in matches.
"The team has never seemed lazy to me. We can lapse into mistakes because we want to do too much – but honestly, I’ve never felt that we’ve been lazy. We can make mistakes and get caught out, but I can’t use the word ‘lazy’ to describe my team. Today I showed the lads footage of the foul we conceded on the flank against Lecce as well as the one in Holland, where we let in a goal. In those circumstances I can agree with you - certain mistakes could be avoided, especially given that we work on avoiding them in training."
Hummels didn’t feature under Roma’s two other coaches this season, but he’s seen a lot of action with you at the helm. What do you make of him as a player?
"I’ve followed Mats for a long time as an international player and I’ve always been a fan of his. Given that he was available it seemed natural for me to pick him. How can you not play a world champion? He’s fit, he’s a leader, he’s an important role model in the team and for his team-mates. It was natural to pick him, and that’s that.”
Imperium Partners
Centurion Partners
