Perotti: Playing regularly has helped my form a lot

INTERVIEWER: It’s not really normal for an Italian side to beat the Premier League champions like that…

PEROTTI: “Maybe not in this way – although everything is easier when you get the first goal in the way we did. But we knew we had the ability to win and we wanted to show the fans what sort of Roma this is.”

A very modern way of playing: is it right to say this is Di Francesco’s revolution?

“He has done it his way. We are working towards a new approach, he has instituted his way of playing and his style of pressing. It needed time and now we are starting to see the results.”

The main difference?

“The obvious difference is we always play a 4-3-3 under Di Francesco, he wants tight, compact units and us playing between the lines.”

To do this you have to have strong legs. Is training tougher than in the past?

“I don’t know if it is harder, but it is different. Obviously playing every three days means you cannot overload in training.”

Is the defensive solidity a surprise?

“I always expect the best from my teammates. I always say that I play for one of the best teams in the world. For me it’s not a surprise. They all deserve praise, including Alisson.”

You are playing better compared to last season, it seems…

“If you play 15 minutes [a game] it’s not easy. Playing with consistency helps a lot. Last year, around January and February, I did not play a lot – because we had Radja [Nainggolan] playing higher up and the team were doing well. This year the key point is I feel good physically. I had a good pre-season and I also trained hard before that in Argentina.”

How do you feel about going to the World Cup?

“After six years for them to call me up means they have seen something they like. For me I now have the chance [to impress] over the upcoming friendlies and I would love to play.”

Is this season more even than ever?

“Yes, you’re right. A lot of teams are going well, many we haven’t played yet. If it continues like this it will be a great season. I think right now we have been doing well. Also in the Champions League – few thought we had a chance and we have done well so far.”