#AskFlorenzi: On his FIFA18 rating, his best goal, idol growing up and more

On Friday afternoon the versatile Alessandro Florenzi tried out another position - as he sat in the hotseat to answer fan questions live on social media.

Read everything he had to say in the transcript below...

Welcome Ale, great to have you here. An easy one to start - what do you like to do in your free time?

"Mainly I use my free time to be with my family – with my wife and daughter. We go for walks and bike rides. Apart from that, I like playing on the PlayStation. My favourite game is FIFA!"

Do you listen to music before a game and is there a particular song you go for?

"Yeah, I listen to music. I often listen to “Il meglio deve ancora venire” [The best is yet to come] by Ligabue before a game."

What’s your favourite song?

"I really like lots of Ligabue songs, but if I have to pick one tune I’ll go with “In viaggio” [Travelling] by Fiorella Mannoia."

Who’s your favourite actor?

"Emanuele Propizio. He’s my favourite actor and a great mate of mine too."

What’s your favourite series?

"I don’t watch many, but I recently saw Narcos. I just started watching the third series on the way back from the Qarabag game. It’s in Spanish mostly but I put the Italian subtitles on."

How did it feel to set up Edin Dzeko for his goal against Verona?

"It was a good feeling – one I’ve not had for a while. It was great and I hope it’s not the last time!"

Do you work hard to improve your weaker foot?

"I have a lot of work to do, but I’m not focusing on that right now. I’m concentrating on strength and running because fitness is what I’m lacking at the moment."

What advice would you give to someone who has suffered a serious injury?

"I would say work hard on getting better every day and stay calm. The people around you will be a huge help. I always say that because I have first-hand experience. It was vital for me to have people at my side during the tough times and now that’s all behind me."

How did it feel when you could only watch Roma on television or at the stadium when you were injured?

"Not great! I can’t lie. It was hard because I wanted to be on the pitch trying to help Roma."

What was the hardest part of your recovery?

"The first month after the second injury. That was a time I would rather not remember – it’s better to forget. But that was it."

Who was your idol as a kid? And not Francesco Totti or Daniele De Rossi, otherwise it’s too easy!

"He’s not much older than me but he started playing when he was very young, so my childhood idol was Cesc Fabregas. We’re facing him soon. I’ve played against him at international level and we swapped shirts, so I hope to do so again and get his club jersey."

What was the best holiday of your life?

"My honeymoon. It was lovely. It was my first holiday with [daughter] Penelope and my wife. We went to Spain, on the coast."

How did you feel when you saw your daughter for the first time?

"I’ll always remember what my wife said when she saw her: ‘Ah, that’s what you look like!’ You’re so used to seeing them from the ultrasound and then you actually see them in real life… I’ve never forgotten that – I thought it was really cute."

Was there ever a time when you thought you weren’t going to make it to Serie A?

"The step up from the Allievi to the Primavera was really tough. That’s when you realise whether you have a chance of making it or not and I did have some doubts during that time."

If you could relive one moment from your career, what would it be?

"Maybe my debut. That was a really important moment. Roma v Sampdoria 22 May 2011 or 2012. I can’t remember. 2011!

What’s your favourite memory of Francesco Totti?

"It’s tough because I have so many, but the best was him providing the assist for my first goal in Serie A. Not bad, eh? He also set one up for me at AC Milan, so that could be a good omen seeing as we’re playing them on Sunday."

Shall I put you in my fantasy football team this week?

"I get this one so much… there are people that celebrate when our opponents score nowadays! I hope I can make it happen for him."

What do you make of your FIFA 18 rating? It’s scandalous that you’re only 82 – you should be 85 minimum!

"Well, I want to thank EA Sports because they’ve finally changed my photo. The original one was from my first year here and I look about 12! I don’t know about my rating – they’re the ones that allocate them but I think 82 is alright!"

Is there another sport you like playing?

"I really like beach volleyball. I know I don’t have the height, but I am pretty good when I jump high enough!"

Carbonara or amatriciana?

"Hmm… carbonara!"

How do you get on with Stephan El Shaarawy?

"Very well – we do a lot together."

What’s the best goal you’ve scored?

"The one against Udinese. Technically, that was the hardest."

Do you have any relatives that support Lazio?

"Only distant ones. I have plenty of mates who support Lazio but that’s never been a problem because I’ve always felt that the rivalry has always been part of Rome. I’ve given it out and had to take a fair bit on the chin too – we’ll carry on like that."

Why did you choose the No.24 shirt?

"I chose No.24 because that’s the day I got engaged to my wife. Unfortunately I can’t change to the day my daughter was born because that would be No.10 and I don’t think that’s really on the cards! I can’t take the year either, because that would mean taking No.16. I’m sticking with No.24 – I love it!"

Can you sum up what Roma means to you in three words?

"It’s not easy in just three words! Can I choose four? It’s my second skin."

What’s your favourite place you’ve visited in the USA?

"I really enjoyed Santa Monica. That was where I went on my most recent holiday with my wife and daughter."