Perotti on his love of creating chances and his jealousy of Totti's technical skill

Winger Diego Perotti was one of the few players to emerge with credit following Saturday's disappointing 2-1 defeat against Napoli.

The Argentine, making his first start in Serie A for a number of months, was the architect of much of Roma's best attacking work in the game - providing the assist for Kevin Strootman's goal and hitting the bar with a deflected strike in injury time.

Ahead of the game, La Gazzetta dello Sport published an illuminating interview with Perotti, in their weekend magazine 'Sportweek'...

A quote on your Twitter account says, 'Earn the respect of others by being brave enough to be yourself.' Have you always been yourself?

“No, it's very hard to do. I've tried though. That's why I chose that quote.”

When were you not yourself?

“People think that being the son of a great coach makes it easier if you decide to go down the same route, but it's not true. I joined Boca at a very young age – a club where my dad had won everything – and people said I was only there because of who my dad was. That changed me: it made me become quieter and more distrustful.”

People have described you as introverted...

“I might give people that impression when I'm in front of the camera but I mess around in the dressing room and at home – too much sometimes! I like to play jokes and tricks on people.”

You tend to attack the goal more than you used to when you were at Genoa. Is that an aspect of your game you've developed yourself or is it something Luciano Spalletti has asked you to do?

“I must be honest, lots of coaches have told me I should shoot more. I shouldn't say this but I find it hard to score. I don't want it to become an obsession or it will be worse, but sometimes I see my team-mates shooting from impossible angles and I wonder how they do it.

"I don't have the same eye for goal. To me it comes naturally to try and play in a team-mate even when it might be easier to go for goal.”

Does that number 10 you have tattooed on your neck represent the shirt number you daren't ask Totti for?

“Actually that tattoo covers up another one – a kiss that didn't come out very well. I've always liked the No. 10, ever since I was a kid. It's got nothing to do with Totti but in any case I'd never ask him for it. I have too much respect for him and for Roma.”

Do you think you follow in the captain's footsteps in some ways, at least as far as football ability is concerned?

“No. I've been lucky enough to play alongside [Juan Roman] Riquelme and Totti and it's quite frustrating to watch them kicking the ball every day, knowing that you'll never be anywhere near as talented as that. It's as if there's a barrier separating you from them and you know you'll never be able to cross it.”

I've been lucky enough to play alongside Riquelme and Totti and it's quite frustrating to watch them kicking the ball every day, knowing that you'll never be anywhere near as talented as that.

Are you friends with Totti?

“We don't go out for dinner together but we talk about football. I like to ask him things but I try not to pester him too much. There are certain players I feel especially respectful towards.”

He and Spalletti have thrown their weight behind Roma's stadium project. How important is it?

“It's very important. I'd like to have the fans closer to the pitch. I'm not saying it would necessarily make the difference between us winning the title or not, but it would certainly help bring in a few extra points.”

At the end of October, Spalletti said: 'If anyone isn't able to handle the pressure, they should move on.'

“There's a lot of pressure in Rome but it should motivate you, not scare you. I'm from Argentina and I know what it's like with the Boca fans – it's exactly the same there. You can't settle for finishing in a good position; you have to win a trophy. But I don't think any of us lets it get to us.

"I room with [Federico] Fazio, for example, and he falls asleep the minute his head hits the pillow. I'm the one who might wander around the room a bit. I love Rome and my wife can't imagine being anywhere else.”

Are we yet to see the best of Perotti?

“I think so – I certainly hope I haven't peaked yet! But it was a hard slog to get where I am and looking back I must say I'm pleased with what I've achieved so far.”