Bruno Peres: I know Spalletti can make me a better player

Roma's win over Fiorentina is already a thing of the past but, in the end, it turned out to be a match worth more than the three points claimed by Luciano Spalletti's men.

It was a clear demonstration that Roma are very much a team in form.

Bruno Peres has been one of the Giallorossi's main men in recent months: the Brazilian has already made 20 Serie A appearances in his debut Roma campaign and scored one goal, in the unfortunate defeat to Sampdoria.

Roma produced possibly their best performance of the season against Fiorentina...

“It was a perfect game. We were superb and got the result we wanted. We did what he needed to do.”

Before the match. Luciano Spalletti said Roma needed to speed up their attacking play. What did he ask you to do exactly?

“He told us it was going to be a tough game with lots of duels all over the pitch – and winning them could be decisive. We succeeded in upping the pace and that proved to be the difference.”

It was a real team victory, although Emerson perhaps deserves a special mention. You've known him since your Santos days...

“I'm delighted for him because he's playing really well at the moment and getting better all the time. He deserves it. As a team we're in good shape and everyone is doing their bit – he's certainly doing his.

“I've known him a long time: he was just a kid when we first met. He's come on loads and he's got plenty of room for improvement. I think he'll develop into one of the best full-backs in the world. He's young, talented and he's got his head screwed on. We're all behind him – he's a great team-mate to have.”

Edin Dzeko's performance wasn't too shabby either...

“He keeps showing he's hungry for more and can keep doing better and better.”

He's scored loads this season but he works hard for the team too. How important is a striker like that for Roma's game?

“People don't always realise the work he puts in but he's really important with the way he holds up play. Often people on the outside only notice when he scores or doesn't score but he's crucial to our team game.”

Roma kept another clean sheet against Fiorentina – your sixth in ten games. Does that prove Sampdoria was just a blip?

“Sampdoria was an exception because we've been performing well defensively of late. The three at the back are on the same wavelength and Emerson and I track back and help out. When we do concede, we have the guys up front who can make up for it.”

Are you happy with your performances for Roma so far?

“No. I think I can do better. I haven't been hit my best form but I'm finding my feet. It takes time to adapt after moving from Torino to Roma. So, no, I'm not happy with my performances so far. I must show I can do more. I haven't shown people the real Bruno Peres yet.”

How does your job change with a three-man defence?

“I have a bit more freedom with this set-up. I can get forward and into the box more. I can't do that as much when we play four at the back.”

Where does Spalletti want you to improve?

“In marking. He often asks me to cover across and watch the runner. He also tells me I've got the ability to do anything I want in the final third. I know he'll make me a better player if I listen to his advice.”

You have a busy run of games coming up and lots of big ones too, both in the league and cup. Is it harder to recover physically or mentally?

“We need to be clever and recover well with all these games close together. You can never recover 100% of course but the coach and the other staff know what we need to do to recover as best we can.”

At least Roma have a big squad with lots of good options.

“We've got a brilliant group here, a fantastic squad with great players capable of making the difference.”

After the game against Fiorentina, Dzeko said: “There's no Dzeko without the team.” Is team unity one of Roma's secrets?

“I think it is. The coach has been building a group and that's where it all starts. Everyone can see we're like a family where everyone helps everyone else.

“Edin's right. Without the team there is no Edin. But it's also true that without Dzeko we wouldn't be the team we are right now. Every player is important and we're even stronger when we all come together.”

You play Crotone on Sunday. What sort of game are you expecting?

“A tricky one. We'll need to be even more careful than we were against Fiorentina. These are the hardest games because your concentration tends to drop. But we'll be going there to win as we do every game.”

You've won all your home games but Roma would be fifth based on away form alone. How do you explain such a difference?

“We're very solid at home. We're playing really well and dominating games. Our opponents need to know they'll get nothing at our place.

“We've dropped points on the road and now we're trying to understand where we went wrong so that we don't repeat the same mistakes. We're improving little by little and hopefully we'll soon be able to play the same away home and away.”

Juventus are seven points ahead and Napoli two behind.

“Yes, we have this seven-point gap with Juventus and it's going to be hard to catch them but we must look up, not down. Napoli have to worry about us, not us about them. We just have to keep doing our jobs and hope Juve slip up.”

One last thing: what did your team-mates say after you missed that chance against Fiorentina?

“They keep teasing me and asking how I managed to miss it. I said I wasn't expecting Radja to pass to me. Dzeko told me I need to learn from him and I said 'Ok, at least now I know what to do next time". They slaughtered me! It's all good fun though. Joking aside I need to work harder to make sure I don't make another mistake like that.”