Alisson 'a phenomenon', says former Roma coach

Alisson, 25, has made a huge impact in his first full season as the club’s starting goalkeeper – delivering a number of eye-catching performances, and high-quality saves, in both the Champions League and Serie A.

His qualities have seen the Brazil international start to be discussed as one of the best goalkeepers in the game – praise that Negrisolo does not think is off the mark.

“I don’t think many people have realised who Alisson is,” Negrisolo, the goalkeeping coach during Roma’s 2000-01 Scudetto-winning campaign, told Il Romanista. “This guy is a phenomenon. He is the No. 1 of No. 1s.

“The first time I saw him play, he wasn’t yet on the Roma books. I watched him play for Brazil and he made an enormous impression on me.

“The way he behaves in the goal, he reminds me of Dino Zoff. I’d also compare him to Michel Preud'homme, who had the class of someone born to be a goalkeeper.”

Negrisolo believes Alisson’s mental make-up is as much of an attribute as his physical skills – and believes the former Internacional man has also gained a lot from the current coaching setup at Trigoria.

“I told Alisson when I met him at Roma’s training ground that he was born for this,” he added. “He was already strong when he arrived, but has improved even more since he has been in Italy, especially when coming out low to get the ball. Now he is far more decisive in those situations.

“I have to give credit to Marco Savorani, the current Roma goalkeeping coach. Savorani also helped Wojciech Szczesny improve a lot and Juventus got themselves a good deal buying him from Arsenal.

“Alisson is crucial off the field too, as you can see he has the mind of a coach. Look at the way he moves and acts when the ball is in his hands and you’ll understand.”