eSports: 17 questions for Insa, Roma’s first Italian FIFA signing

When did you first start playing FIFA?

"I started playing FIFA at amateur level in 2008. I started competing in 2010 but in another game, Gears of War. Then I started playing FIFA tournaments in 2014."

Describe your style of play…

"I move the ball a lot with plenty of possession. I'm not a big fan of skills and dummies. I just try to do the right ones at the right time but never overdo it. I like to mix up my play both through the middle and out wide. I have a dynamic style of play and if I can't find space for a forward pass, I prefer to always come back. Either way, sooner or later someone makes a mistake in FIFA."

What is your preferred formation to play with on FIFA?

"Obviously every game is different but in general I use two formations. I start with a 4-2-3-1 and then, if I can't find space down the flanks, I play a tight diamond - 4-1-2-1-2."

At what point did you realise that you could become a professional FIFA gamer?

"I don't want to appear big-headed but right from the moment I started competing. As I've said, I took part in tournaments in another game. A friend of mine played FIFA competitively back then and won things, whereas I played him and managed to beat him a few times. That's when I realised if I trained a bit, I could win. A month later I won a tournament at Milan's Game's Week."

When did you make your professional debut?

"A small event called Videogames Party in Mantova in 2014. It was the day before FIFA 2015 came out and it was a demo."

How often do you train and what is your training regime like?

"Every day. From Friday to Sunday there are usually 40 matches which are crucial to qualify for the World Cup. You're chained to the console for 10 hours a day at the weekend. Usually I take half a day off on a Monday and I look back over everything I got wrong. I always train between Tuesdays and Fridays, for at least three or four hours a day.

“A training session has lots of aspects to it. I can watch a tutorial of some very good players and from that I can figure out things I don't normally do or that I use in the wrong way. Watching other players always helps. In the first half an hour, I try to correct all of my mistakes. I watch all of my big games where I made mistakes. The first part of training is all about improvement. Then I play online and always against good players. That's the only way you can improve on a daily basis. Plus there's a tournament every night."

Do you have a pre-match ritual or any unique superstitions?

"For a while I followed my mental coach's advice. I used to play Hexagon, an exercise that helps you to work on your reflexes. It helped me to get ready and think about all of my moves before the match started. Recently I must say I'm doing it a lot less. I'm trying to learn to clear my mind - I only want to focus. If you're not weighed down by superstitions or rituals, you can ultimately produce more."

What is your biggest professional achievement in your career thus far?

"It's hard to say but I think it was in Zurich. I was invited by FIFA, along with six other gamers, to the first players' workshop on the history of the game. We spoke about the future of competitions and we had a private tour of their facilities. It was a great feeling because that means FIFA think we're the best in our field."

What do you like to do in your spare time?

"I must confess that the further you go, the less you have. I like to spend time with my friends and go to the cinema, a gig or watch a game with a beer. Travelling is what I like most. Besides Rome, which is a great city, London is the place that impressed me the most."

Who are your role models in the FIFA community?

"In terms of ability, there's only one player who's above the rest - he's our answer to Ronaldo or Messi. His name is Gorilla and he's the best of the lot. He might lose every now and then - he's not unbeatable - but he only loses when he's off form. I'd also mention Tass, who's a very professional gamer and a FIFA legend. He used to win more often but it seems like he's back to his best this year."

If you could give one piece of advice to FIFA players seeking to improve their games, what would it be?

"My advice to the entire Italian community would be not to look for excuses. Defeats are the best route to success. When you lose, you have to work out what you got wrong and you can always learn from your mistakes."

Favourite Roma player (past or present)?

“Totti. I grew up watching him. He's been around ever since I was a kid and he's always been amazing, on video games too. I watched him live at San Siro and he was even better in the flesh."

Favourite Roma player to use on FIFA and why?

“Nainggolan. He's perfect for FIFA. He has high statistics, he's quick, he's a good dribbler and you can use him both defensively and in the hole in the game. There's nothing he's not good at."

How did you react when you first heard of Roma’s interest?

"I asked my agent to get in touch with Roma. Given their American owners, I thought that could be a bridge between their world and ours. I couldn't believe it and I still can't. I've had lots of other successes in my life but this means becoming a fully-fledged professional. It was so cool - what a feeling! I still can't get my head around it and that probably best shows what a big deal it is."

Why did you sign for Roma?

"It's a club with history, the team from the country's capital. It's one of Europe's biggest clubs. There are lots of reasons, including wearing the same colours as Totti."

How does it feel to be Roma’s first official eSports signing?

"I'm honoured. We're trailblazers - the first big club in Italy to do this. This has put me in the shop window. I want to immediately start making history for Roma in this field. I want to inspire people to get to where we've made it to. The more clubs that get involved, the more the sport will develop."

What are some professional goals you hope to achieve this year with Roma?

"I want to try and qualify for the World Cup and get a result. That's my aim. If you aim high, you always land on your feet. If I only aimed to win the Italian league and lost, I'd have nothing to show for it. If you aim at a global level, you still have lots of events you can compete in."

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