Fazio meets the media for first time

New Roma signing Federico Fazio believes the Giallorossi should be targetting success on all fronts this season - starting with the Champions League play-off, which gets underway next week.

Fazio could make his competitive debut for the Giallorossi in next week's play-off away leg against Porto - with the defender acknowledging it would be a huge advantage to keep a clean sheet at the Estadio do Dragao.

“It’s a very difficult, delicate tie," Fazio told reporters. "It’s vital that we get our season off to a good start and compete well in a key match.

"It’s fantastic to be playing in Europe, especially the Champions League. We need to achieve that objective – the group knows that, we’re aware of what we have to do.

"The main thing in the first leg is that we keep a clean sheet.”

Fazio has enjoyed a whirlwind start to his time in Italy - initially training with the club's Primavera side to build up match fitness, before scoring just minutes into his first game for the club in Wednesday's friendly victory over Latina.

“I trained with the Primavera for the first few days to keep my match fitness up, since the first-team squad was still on tour in the United States," he noted. "When they got back to Italy I was able to meet my new team-mates and begin training with them.

"The Latina match was my first 90 minutes in three months and I enjoyed it. I felt good physically and the understanding with my team-mates was there.”

Have you struggled with fitness issues in past seasons?

“It’s just been the last six months at Spurs when I’ve not played regularly. I was always fit when I was at Sevilla. I like working hard and training regularly, so I’m not worried about fitness.”

Has Luciano Spalletti given you any indications as to whether you’ll be using a back three or a back four?

“Over the past few days the coach has demonstrated his personality and charisma, but we’ve not gone into tactical details yet. On my end I have no issue playing in a back four or a back three and I’m comfortable on the right or the left of that. I’m happy to do whatever the boss wants. We’ve not spoken about it just yet, but we’ll go into the details over the next few days.”

Juventus have dominated Italian football in recent years. Can you bridge the gap with them?

“In my eyes Roma should be fighting and competing on all fronts – in the league, the cup and in Europe. Right now the most important thing is the Champions League play-off. After that, we’ll take it game by game. Our mantra needs to be compete, compete, compete.”

How has the physical preparation here in Italy been different to what you’ve experienced in the past? Are you worried about how you’ll adapt?

“All leagues have their own specific traits and Italy is different to Spain and England. I think Serie A is perfectly suited to my game, so I’m not worried about adapting. My biggest strength is that I never stop fighting, I’m a competitive person, I’m full of desire and I have a winning mentality – that’s why I’m here. I want to win everything this year.”

Did you ever envisage yourself playing in Serie A and what was your view of Roma before you joined?

“I’ve played in La Liga and the Premier League, but one of my objectives was always to play in Italy and now I’m doing that. I’ve joined a big club – in my eyes, Roma are the top club in Italy. I feel really proud so play for a club with such passionate fans and I can’t wait to take to the field in front of our home crowd.”

Is there a particular defender you look up to?

“One of my favourite defenders was always Walter Samuel. I’m a Boca Juniors fan so I knew him from his time there and then I followed his career here at Roma. Another player I’ve always looked up to is Gabriel Milito.”

"In my eyes, Roma are the top club in Italy. I feel really proud so play for a club with such passionate fans"

- Federico Fazio

Did you speak to Franco Baldini at all before your move? What role did he play in the negotiations?

“I didn’t speak to him. We chatted when I originally joined Tottenham, but this deal was done by the clubs – nothing more than that.”

Were you able to speak to Diego Perotti – a former team-mate of yours at Sevilla – before joining Roma?

“Yes, Diego is a good friend of mine. I came to see him in March and although he’d only just joined he was raving about the club and the passion of the fans. He told me that Roma was a massive club. We played together for seven years at Sevilla so it’s amazing to be able to share a pitch with him again. I’m proud and honoured to call him a team-mate.”