Jesus: Every member of the squad has to step up and deliver

Ahead of Sunday's trip to face Udinese, defender Juan Jesus sat down to talk with the club's official match programme.

See what he had to say in the transcript below...

Interviewer: Let's start with the end – last week's win against Genoa.

Jesus: “We knew it was going to be a tough first match back and we managed to pick up three massive points. We did what the coach wanted us to do and were able to come away with the result we wanted.”

Luciano Spalletti has said Roma are now a tough, aggressive, physical team. What do you think?

“The boss knows we are because he sees us in training. We all want to win, even in training matches. Having that same mentality on the training ground and taking it into games at the weekend shows what a resolute side we are. You need that if you want to keep chasing your targets until the end.”

Roma's recent outings suggest you've grown a lot as a team. Do you think the improvement has been more in character or the quality of your football?

“We've been excellent recently. We've been putting the coach's instructions into practice and I think we're improving technically, tactically and mentally too. It's good but we have to keep working hard and keep improving because there's still a long way to go this season.”

You've also shown the ability to alter your tactics and your approach during the game. Against Genoa, for example, you switched between three and four at the back.

“It's always an advantage if you're able to change system and that's something we're good at. Switching formation mid-game doesn't affect us.”

What does Spalletti ask you to do when you're in possession and when you're not in possession? How does he want the centre-backs to move?

“He tells us to remain very alert both when we have the ball and when we don't because if we don't move properly at all times we can pay for it. You need to be really switched on to do that. We must be constantly aware of the two or three players in our area of the pitch. All our defenders have understood what the boss wants and the results are there to see.”

Wojciech Szczesny made a couple of crucial interventions against Genoa. How important is it to have a keeper you know you can count on?

“It's very important. He pulled off two amazing saves at Genoa but we don't just have a fantastic keeper – the whole team is playing well. We need to maintain this same focus and quality for as long as possible.”

Roma are doing much better defensively now: you have the second-best defence in Serie A.

“The defence always comes in for criticism because it's our job to stop the opposition from scoring. We have the second-best defensive record but we have to work even harder so that we can be first.”

How do you assess your own contribution in the first half of the season?

“I had a few ups and downs in the first part of the year. It was a new experience for me at new club but I think I did well. I have to improve lots of things but I'm pleased with what I've done so far.”

It seems that whoever comes into the side is up to the task. We've seen that with you, Emerson, Stephan El Shaarawy and others. Is that the secret of Roma's success?

“I think it is, yes. We've got a big squad and we have to be on our toes at all times. That's essential because we never know when our time will come. At a club like Roma with so much strength in depth, if one player comes out of the team there's always another guy who's just as good ready to step in. When the boss sends us on for the last 15-20 minutes we have to make sure we're on the ball and ensure there's no drop in quality. Whoever comes off the bench wants to do a top job and do his bit for the team.”

You earned three important points at Genoa but Roma have often struggled away from the Olimpico. Why is that?

“We have to be more careful when we play away. We're not able to reproduce the same level of football on the road but we're getting there. Lots of teams have struggled at Genoa and dropped points against them so us winning there is a great result.”

You have another away fixture on Sunday, at Udinese. What sort of game do you expect it to be?

“It's going to be very hard. I watched the game against Inter and they didn't deserve to lose because they played really well. They play good football and their coach [Luigi Delneri] knows Serie A inside out, so it will be really tough. We have to be ready for it, do the things we know how to do and get the three points.”

Udinese had won three of their last four games before losing to Inter last week. Where do their strengths lie?

“They're a really gritty, determined side who play with lots of energy. They don't give you a moment's peace – they harry you all the time. They have some quality players too, people like Danilo, [Silvan] Widmer and [Sven] Kums.”

Juventus visit Fiorentina on the same day so it could turn out to be a good weekend for Roma...

“I think Fiorentina v Juve will be a great match to watch but I don't look out for other teams' results. Rather than waiting for Juve to slip up, I prefer to focus on Roma. We have our own job to do and if we do it properly week in week out we can achieve some great results.”

How important is the fans' support? They always turn up in their droves for away games.

“They're massively important – a huge help to us away from home. We miss them at the Olimpico. I've played here lots of times as an opponent and I know what it's like when you have the Roma fans against you. We'd love to have a packed Olimpico behind us.”

What's your relationship with the fans like?

“It's good. They're still getting to know me. I'm grateful to them for the support they've given me in these first few months. A big hello to them all.”