Cengiz Under: My first goal changed everything for me

Forward Cengiz Under has enjoyed a breakthrough spell for Roma in 2018 - scoring six goals in a six-game spell that announced 'The Undertaker' on the international stage.

Ahead of Sunday's Serie A game against Crotone, the Turkey international sat down with the club's matchday programme to discuss how he is handling his rapid rise - and the secrets behind it all...

Let’s start from that magical Champions League night. It was an important objective for Roma, the team, the club and the fans...

“It was my debut in the Champions League against Shakhtar and I also scored my first goal in the competition in Ukraine, which was great. Then we won the second leg 1-0 and we’re delighted that we’ve qualified for the quarter-finals. Obviously, our job is to give our all until the end, with the support of our fans.”

What was that like?

“As I said, they were my first games in the Champions League and I’m so happy they went well. We’re working hard to prepare for every game as best as we can. We want to win all our upcoming matches.”

How important was the support of the fans?

“I think the fans can influence games because with them behind us we feel stronger on the pitch. We feel more alive, they give us strength. Playing for the fans like this is like starting with a 1-0 lead and I think Shakhtar felt that. We know our fans are great and they’ll continue to back us in our next games!”

After a night like that in the Champions League, how difficult is it to re-concentrate and face a team that’s fighting for survival?

“We’re preparing for this game as we do every other fixture, in the best way possible. We don’t want any drops in concentration. I'm confident we'll win, but it will be a tough match. As soon as a team is in risk of relegation, they play against us with more ambition. But as I said, we mustn’t allow any lapses in concentration. I don’t think there’s a risk this will happen, we’ll be on top form.”

You started every game from Sampdoria to Roma: that’s eight consecutive matches, only Alisson, Aleksandar Kolarov, Alessandro Florenzi and Edin Dzeko can also say that.

“It’s great! The second half of the season began brilliantly for me after a difficult start. Now I can say a new Cengiz is here. After Sampdoria, I started feeling more confident in myself. I also began understanding a bit more Italian, so communicating with my team-mates was easier. As a result, a new player was born.

“I’ve been in the starting XI for eight games and I hope to continue working in the same way to be available for the boss. I always want to produce more in games and the only way to do that is to put in the effort in training.”

Your season changed radically against Verona. What was the reason behind such an impressive turnaround?

“Everything was completely different after my first goal. From my first appearance here, I’ve been trying to score; I knew after that things would change. My first goal in a Giallorossi shirt was very important for me.

“It happens to every striker, I just needed to open the floodgates and then I’d continue scoring. Scoring makes you more confident. I promise to continue scoring because I want to finish the season in the best way. My main aim is to score goals.”

How has the coach helped you?

“He’s helped me a lot, I’ve started eight games back-to-back. I feel his backing: I can happily do whatever I want during matches. I can really feel his support. He’s always believed in me and I won’t let him down. I want to continue playing like this.”

You’ve been living in Rome for a few months now, how do you find the city?

“I feel at home here. When I have some free time and I’m not at training, I walk around the centre. I really like this city, you’re walking around places packed full of history. Basically, I’m very happy to live here.”

Where does your nickname 'Gengo' come from?

“A lot of my friends call me Gengo in Turkey as well. I don’t like nicknames too much, but ever since my team-mates started calling me Gengo here, I’ve liked it.

“The coach says it constantly: ‘Gengo, Gengo.’ It sounds better in Italian, I like it, it’s good coming from them.”

The understanding with Edin Dzeko is improving game by game. How do you feel alongside him?

“I’m happy to line up alongside a top player like him. We’re starting to understand each other really well, now we know what each other is thinking with just a look. We always chat before kick-off, we give each other instructions and then I try to do what he tells me.”

What’s the favourite goal you’ve scored?

“My most important goal was against Shakhtar, my first strike in the Champions League, but the best goal was against Udinese.”