Strootman calls for huge team effort in the derby

Strootman revealed his hope that coach Luciano Spalletti will stay on at the club next season, the Dutchman adding about his own future that he will "definitely be here next year".

Why is it that everyone from team-mates to coaches to commentators have nothing but good words to say about you?

“I don’t know – I’ll have to ask them! I hope they continue to say good things about me after the derby. I always give 100% on the pitch but without my team-mates I’d be nothing. I’m not the kind of player that dribbles past three opponents to score. On Sunday we need everyone to do their bit.”

You burst into the box to grab a goal against Pescara on Monday – is that naturally part of your game or something you’ve been working on in training?

“We work on lots of different things in training and that’s part of it. Radja [Nainggolan] is another one that’s really improved his scoring record this season. My role has changed a little bit in the last few months, so I’m a bit further forward and need to raise my game in front of goal. I couldn’t help but score against Pescara after that ball from Leo [Paredes] and a perfect assist from Stephan [El Shaarawy].”

Can you still remember the feeling of scoring in the derby earlier in the season?

“Of course I remember it. It was a special moment and I’ll never forget it. I hadn’t been playing to my usual standards in the weeks leading up to the game, but everyone at the club and all the coaching staff and my team-mates were showing real faith in me. I don’t want to go as far as to say that I’m playing better now because of that derby, but it definitely gave me an extra motivation boost. We got the win that day, which is always important.”

Is it all smiles now between Edin Dzeko and the coach?

“Yeah, Edin knows he was in the wrong. They had a chat and he said sorry. These things happen in football – he wants to score goals but the coach is thinking about our upcoming games. Dzeko and [Francesco] Totti are the only centre-forwards we’ve got and that’s why the coach took him off. Let’s hope Edin gets his goal in the derby on Sunday.”

There’s been a lot of talk about your contract recently. Will your future be at Roma?

“We’re talking about it. A new sporting director has just come in. We’re discussing the new contract and I’ve always said that I like it here. Everyone has always supported me here, especially during and after my injury problems. I’m on the same page with my team-mates, the coaching staff and the management. We’re having discussions but when you’re talking about a five-year contract, of course everything needs to be perfect. I will definitely be here next year.”

What’s impressed you the most about Luciano Spalletti and what’s your view on his future?

“The coach has changed the mentality here. People often say that we play well for a sequence of matches and we look like a great side, but then we have two or three bad games. That needs to be gotten rid of because we need to be performing well in every match, regardless of the fact that the Italian league is very tough. We have to show we’re a top side every time we play.

"Tactically the coach is very good and we always have a plan no matter who we’re playing against. I hope he stays. I know he’s always having to talk about his contract because the press keep asking him. As I say, I hope he stays because he’s doing a great job and I enjoy working with him.”

Do you still believe you can catch Juventus?

“I always get asked this after we win – it’s the same sort of thing I was saying before. Juventus are very strong. They’re a great side and they’re proving that in the Champions League too. We need to focus on second place and on winning on Sunday – after that we’ll see. Both teams still have difficult matches to play, so we need to concentrate on ourselves.

"If we finish second ahead of Napoli I think we’ll have done a good job, because Napoli are another top team. Right now we need to be focusing on winning on Sunday because that’s the only thing that counts.”