Manolas: Time to demonstrate we have winning mentality

The Giallorossi head into 2018 aiming to get back to winning ways as soon as possible, following last Saturday’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Sassuolo.

And Manolas believes the squad need to show their mental strength by overcoming their recent troubles and starting a new run of good form.

“I agree with [sporting director] Monchi: there isn’t room at Roma for those who don’t have a winning mentality,” Manolas told Sky Sport Italia. “I always try to do everything I can for the team.

“I always want to win. My job is to do absolutely everything I can, because I want to win something with this club.”

As the season enters the New Year, the Giallorossi head into Saturday’s game against Atalanta looking to address a poor recent run of form that has seen them win just one of their last five matches – with goals suddenly proving hard to come by.

“Against Torino [in the Coppa Italia] we did everything we could to get the two goals we needed,” Manolas said. “Against Juventus, in the first half we weren’t able to perform as we wanted, we were a bit lacking in bit. After the break we improved and perhaps deserved more, but in the end we lost an important game.

“Against Sassuolo, we should have finished off the game sooner. This year we have scored fewer goals, but we are still creating the chances. I am confident we will get back to scoring ways soon because we have a strong attack.”

On Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick, he added: “There isn’t a problem, they are two great players and I am confident the goals will come for the both of them. They work hard in training, they score in training. I am sure they will score soon.”

While Roma still have the best defence in Serie A this season, in recent weeks the side seem to have had some troubles from set-pieces: conceding from corners against both Torino and Juventus.

“If I remember correctly we have conceded just those two goals from deadball situations, so I wouldn’t like to call it a problem,” he said.

“We have worked hard so far, we have the best defence and I hope that we continue like that.”