Gandini on facing former club Milan, Strootman's appeal, and much more

Gandini, who worked for the Rossoneri for 23 years, will see his new club meet his old employers for the first time at the Stadio Olimpico - in what is a huge game for both sides, as they bid to keep the pressure up on league leaders Juventus.

Gandini remains grateful to the opportunities and experiences he enjoyed during his time with Milan - but in an interview with Roma Radio underlined just how excited he is about the prospects for growth in his new role with the Giallorossi.

“It’s impossible to think I could instantly erase the 23 years I spent working with Milan," Gandini said. "Without that I wouldn’t be in a position now to be able to take them on with my new team, Roma. So I have to thank Milan.

"The build-up is quite interesting because it’s a big game. I expected Roma to be second but Milan are doing really well. I met [Vincenzo] Montella briefly. I’m glad it’s one of the most interesting games of the season; the two teams are playing to be, at least for the time being, the main challenger to Juve. There’s a lot of excitement and positive tension ahead of this challenge. I hope it provides further of evidence of where Roma are as a team."

Gandini believes the game itself will be a meeting of two contrasting styles, and Roma will have to be wary of the Rossoneri threat on the counter-attack.

“I think it’ll be a good game," he added. "I’m sure Milan will try and use their main weapons – staying patient and hitting back on the break – against Roma, whose forte is keeping control of the game. It’ll be up to us to take the game to Milan, but we’ll have to be careful when they win the ball and break. They have the expertise to play that way and it’ll be a hurdle for us to overcome, as we strive to reach the highest level.

“This weekend is a long and important one. We’ll know who our next opponents will be in the Europa League. We’ll find out who the Primavera will play in the UEFA Youth League. Plus we’ll see how things lie in the league table after this weekend’s fixtures. We’re in a position to do well and I’m really happy to be part of this.”

On the appeal against Kevin Strootman’s ban...

“Yesterday was an important day. What we already knew was reaffirmed. We were completely right to oppose the ruling passed by the sports judge on Strootman’s alleged simulation, after inappropriate use of television footage. We can now go into the next game with all our available players and we’re happy about that.”

On the club...

“I’ve found the club to be very well-organised and in a strong position. I have a wonderful professional relationship with Mauro Baldissoni, with whom I speak on a daily basis. I can only speak in support of what he said yesterday in response to Beppe Marotta, who was right when he said Mauro is a Roma fan and has every right to express his thoughts. He got one thing wrong though: Mauro and I have always spoken, and will continue to do so every day.”

On the fans at the Tre Fontane training session...

“It was a wonderful feeling and great for the team most of all, to be able to celebrate a big win over Lazio. But I understand that it’s even bigger for the city and the Roma fans. The show of passion from the supporters, their desire to be close to the players, was wonderful to see. This is the message we’re trying to send, when we ask for the Roma faithful to be by our side. This is what we get in our away games, when they put on great showings like they did against Sassuolo and Empoli, but we also need that at the Olimpico. That is where we’re expressing ourselves best and we can carry on sharing joyful moments together.”

On the derby...

“My first Rome derby was great, if slightly unusual being an away fixture. The most important thing, however, was to bring home a big result and create a bit of distance between ourselves and those behind us, also showing that we’re a good side. The first half was not easy, though we did have more control of the game. With a half-time team talk from the boss and by being a little bit more savvy we did what big teams do. We also created some good opportunities, such as those for [Edin] Dzeko. It was a great derby and nice to win it 2-0.

“Also, you can’t always play well and you can’t win every match. I’ve always believed that our duty is to be competitive for as long as possible. Ultimately only one team can win, but it doesn’t mean that the other 19 teams have failed. Roma has been in the top three in Serie A for some time and it shows the club wants to stay at the top in the long run.”

On Roma’s future challenges...

“We want to become a bigger club. We’re already a big team in an Italian context, but perhaps on a European level we have room to grow. But results are at the heart of that, so we need to make sure we stay competitive. As far as I’m concerned, it’s important to bring know-how to what we do, as that will bring results. We have a number of challenges: the new stadium as well as an economic model for Roma which is more suitable to the club’s ambitions and in line with the ideas of the owner and shareholders.”

On the future of Italian football...

“Italian football has to consider everything that has been said and done in the last few years. We've been discussing matters within the Lega, trying to understand what the problems are and what the solutions could be. We all have to work with the common good in mind because all too often we've looked to maintain the status quo as it offers short-term benefits. We need to think as a system instead of as individual stakeholders and above all we must be aware of Italy's importance on the international stage.

"The Champions League reform shows that people recognise how many big clubs we have in Italy and that they should be playing in Europe. On the other hand, we also need to consider achievements on the pitch. The fact Italy will be hosting the European U19 Championship is also significant. Something I hold very much at heart is returning Italian football to the position it was in a few years ago as one of the biggest leagues in the world.

"Italy shouldn't be seen as a stepping stone for the world's best footballers – it has to become best league in the world again.”

On Rome...

“I'm enjoying living in Rome. It's a wonderful city. I decided to live in the centre with my wife because I wanted to really experience the city. My face isn't immediately recognisable yet so living in the centre is different to how it might be a few years down the line.”

On the fans and the Olimpico...

"Monday's game against AC Milan is a huge evening for Roma and for Rome. We want the Olimpico to be the fortress it's always been – a place of joy for the fans, which is what I always remember it being when I came here as an opponent. I know there are lots of problems to solve but Monday's match is up there among the best matches Italy has to offer and the Roma fans should be there at the Olimpico.”