Di Francesco: Now the challenge is to reduce the gap to the top

The Giallorossi clinched third spot in Serie A with the three points gained at the Mapei Stadium, and now head into the summer with plenty of positives to build on going into the 2018-19 campaign.

Where do Roma need to improve going into next season?

“We’ve got the second-best defence in the league, but we need to improve in front of goal. We’re too far off the teams who finished ahead of us. We’ve created a lot of chances this season but we could have done better to finish them off.”

At a certain point, did you maybe favour the Champions League over Serie A?

“No, not in my mind. I must successfully communicate to my players that all the matches should be treated in the same way. You cannot ignore the league championship and I don’t believe in teams that plump for one competition and that’s it. If we want to become a top side, we must always be competitive, rotating the squad where necessary and building on the change in mentality we’ve seen in everyone at Trigoria.”

Any comment on the Lazio v Inter result?

“Lazio miss out of the Champions League but they’ve had a superb season. Both did enough to deserve it and Inter did well to stick in there, showing themselves to be the top side that they are."

In the period between December and January, what had a bigger effect: the loss to Juventus or the transfer rumours?

“All these things have helped us to grow. I don’t like looking back at the past, let’s continue onwards. Mentally we have made progress but we mustn’t rest on our laurels; we need to continue growing ahead of next season.”

Are you nervous about the big European clubs that have got their eyes on Alisson?

“I haven’t been told anything about this. Obviously, the transfer market can throw up all sorts of situations, but my wish is that he remains here.”

What will be the spirit at the club going into next season?

“We want to reduce the gap on the sides that finished in front of us. We want to improve and our performances are the way to show that. We will work hard to get better.”