Alisson believes he has room for improvement despite stellar season

The Giallorossi will look to end a seven-game run without a win when they take to the field at the Stadio Bentegodi - following a disappointing home defeat against Sampdoria last weekend that only added to the club's recent struggles.

“We hope that the Sampdoria game can be the lowest point, and now things turn around, although it is up to us to go out and do that on the pitch,” Alisson told Roma's match programme.

“Our thoughts have to be focused on the next game, which is always the most important. The game against Verona will be crucial for us, to rediscover our strength. They will want to win the game but we must play the way we know we can to bring back the three points.”

On the challenge that awaits at the Bentegodi, Alisson added: ““Facing a side lower down the table is always difficult. Everyone expects you to win and win well, but it’s never that easy. We need to go there with our feet on the ground, humble and simply try to play our game.

“Clearly they will have more confidence after a big away win against a strong side like Fiorentina. But we need to focus on what we want to do.”

Last week goalkeeping coach Marco Savorani said that your greatest asset is making difficult saves look simple...

“Yes, I think so, it is something I work on. If a goalkeeper is in the right place, that makes everything easier. In training Savorani has helped me to find the right angles on the pitch, which has been very useful in games. He also works a lot on the mental side of the game, the importance of concentration. He deserves a lot of the credit for my performances on the pitch this season."

Savorani also said that you have benefitted from the work you put in last season, even though you were not the starter...

“It was an unusual season for me, I came from playing 50 or 60 games a season to playing two games in two weeks and then nothing for two months. It’s not easy for a goalkeeper to handle that sort of situation. I used those months to learn the language and study Italian football, which has a different style to Brazil and is much more tactical. The ball is the same but the game is not the same. I also learned to have patience, which was very useful.”

Which has been your best save so far?

“This year there have been a few – maybe from Caprari’s free-kick, against Sampdoria [in Genoa]. It was a tough shot, from a free-kick in a dangerous position. He put it in the top corner and I had to be very quick to keep it out.”

People are saying that you are having a remarkable season...

“We are only halfway through it, though, so I will respond to questions like that at the end of the campaign. So far I have been doing well but I hope there is more improvement to come, both personally and for the team as a whole. We deserve a bit more than we’ve got so far, at the moment we are in a tough spell but we hope to get out of it soon.”

You have been here a year-and-a-half, which of your teammates has helped you the most this year?

“Daniele De Rossi, definitely. I used to watch him when he was small: he has always been a ‘tough’ player, strong, always defiant and determined to win. When I arrived I got to know him personally and I discovered a great person, on and off the pitch. Daniele is an example for everyone in the squad, in an understated way – without theatrics or drama, he is always there, working in the right way.”

And of the new arrivals?

“Cengiz [Under[ has done very well, I think: for a player who speaks little or no Italian it is really, really tough: but every time his performances on the pitch are improving. I think he will do a lot of great things for Roma.”

What about Di Francesco?

“We have a good relationship, the coach is great. He asks me to do my job, which is first and foremost to make saves and help the side not to concede. We work on this aspect every day. I am trying to improve in my distribution, and releasing the ball quickly for the attackers. I always try to do my best... and even more than that.

“Looking at the future we have to find our form as soon as possible, so when the Champions League resumes we have confidence and our playing our true brand of football – like we played against Chelsea. We have to get back to being the squad we were.”