Fazio: This is a squad that wants to win something

See what the popular defender had to say about his own form, his new teammates, and the club's bid for success in the second half of the campaign...

You've been here for five months now. How are you settling in?

"I like the club and the team we've got here. I'm very happy and I'm adapting well to a new country, language and style of football.

"This season has been a bit different for me. I wasn't there for pre-season and I hadn't played for six months. It took me a while to get going. I always train hard and if I'm fit, there's no problem."

You've won everyone over - fans and pundits alike...

"I like to work and train and I'm always ready to give 100% for this team."

When you signed for Roma, you said you had the right character to make the most of this opportunity. What does it mean to have character in football?

"I like to compete and I like to win. We've improved on that, especially in terms of the team's character. You see it when we play and you can't win matches or the league title without character."

How did Argentinian football mould you into the man you are today?

"You can tell a footballer born in Argentina from the way he plays the game. That's how we are - we like to compete."

You've played in Spain and England. How do those leagues differ from Serie A?

"English football is less tactical than the others and it's more about 1v1s. Italian football strikes me as more similar to the Spanish league. I like both styles of football. Playing in different countries allows you to develop in every area - personally, culturally and professionally, given you work with different coaches with different mindsets. I've dreamed about playing in Italy ever since I was a kid.

"We've performed well defensively of late but that's not down to individual players. The whole team is united. To score goals you have to play well from the keeper to the defenders, who are the first to press. As I've said, we have to be united on all fronts - at the back and going forward - and stay compact."

Can you give us your take on your team-mates at the back?

"[Antonio] Rudiger is playing well since returning from injury and he loves to compete in every game. He's a good player and his energy levels are infectious. The team needed him."

“[Kostas] Manolas has incredible character. He plays every match in the same way."

“[Thomas] Vermaelen has not been able to play as he would have liked due to injury but he's got the sort of experience the team need."

“[Wojciech] Szczesny is another guy with great character in the side. But he's more than that - he's a top-class keeper too."

Talk to us about the Juventus game...

"We played very well but fine margins cost us points. That doesn't matter and we must keep going because it's a long old season and we're doing well. There are lots of matches still to play and it's down to us. We're not inferior to anyone."

Szczesny spoke about a difference in mindset. Do you have to work on that?

"No, I think we've learned a great deal on that over the last 10-15 games. You could see in the big matches against Inter, AC Milan, Napoli and Lazio that our character enabled us to win. We have to keep going, take a step forward and it's all down to us in the end."

Villarreal are next up in the Europa League...

"Villarreal are a good side. They're going well in La Liga and they've consistently qualified for Europe over the last 5-6 years. We must respect them but still do our job. This is Roma and if we want to win this competition, we have to beat everyone."

What's your view of this Roma side?

"I've played for successful teams and I believe this is a side that wants to win trophies. You can see that and really sense it in training and during matches. I believe we have a winning team. We all train hard to score goals and win games.

"In 2017, from a football perspective, I hope for more of what we've seen over the last six months and to compete on all three fronts. We want to win a trophy."