Alisson on Plzen draw and his start to life at Roma

Goalkeeper Alisson believes Roma will be capable of achieving their ambitions once they add consistency to their play.

The summer arrival, who started the club's opening Europa League draw against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday evening, acknowledges that the result in the Czech Republic was perhaps not the Giallorossi were after - but believes his side know what they must work on to improve.

See what the Brazilian had to say about the game, his experiences in Rome so far, and his aims for the future.

It was a tough Europa League opener against Viktoria Plzen...

"Yes, it was hard match, we found it difficult and it's always tricky to play away from home. They're a very physical side, they played plenty of long balls and it's little wonder they scored from a cross. Yet we also had some good spells in the match. We had chances to win the game but sadly the result isn't what we wanted. That said, it's the first point of our European campaign."

What stopped you from winning the game?

"We lacked goals, perhaps we could have created more but I like to really analyse the game before I give my take on it. We had some ups and downs during the game and I believe that once we perform more consistently in matches, we'll get closer to our aim of winning every time we go out there."

Roma have been pegged back in four of their six matches so far. Why is that happening?

"It's tough, we're playing against good sides, it's not only down to us, although we have made mistakes that we need to put right both as a team and individuals. We must improve as a team, mistakes aren't just down to one person, they're everyone's. We need to work harder in possession, know when to up the tempo and when to take the sting out of the game. We also must learn when to dig in, when the opposition put us under pressure. You can't control a match for the full 90 minutes, we have to learn to suffer a touch more and be a bit more solid at the back."

Yesterday saw the second game in a run of seven in 22 days. How crucial could this period be in the context of the campaign?

"It's very important. There are both games in the Europa League, where we want to progress and qualify for the next round, and matches in Serie A, where we want to stay up near the top, without losing ground on the leaders. We're always looking to win and, as I've said, develop as a team, as we have been doing.

"We played brilliantly in the second half of our last league match and that's something that needs to be highlighted. We need to use these games as reference points, without forgetting to correct our mistakes as soon as possible."

How has your season gone so far?

"I'm pleased to be here at Roma. I'm developing a lot as a player and a professional and it's been very positive for my family and me, in terms of personal growth too. I'm learning all the time, it's helping me with the national team too, above all in terms of playing with my feet. I haven't played a lot of games but I'll always give 100%. At times the results haven't been the ones I hoped for but I've always given and will continue to give my all for Roma."

How are you settling in?

"I get on well with everyone, they're all cool guys. They've given me a warm welcome. I had a few issues with the language at the start but I'm learning it quickly, although I preferred not to speak Italian in this interview to avoid any slip-ups. I'm learning the language and that's really helped me to get to know my team-mates better."

What's your relationship like with the other keepers, Wojciech Szczesny in particular?

"It's laid back. Besides being a great keeper, Szczesny is also a lovely guy, just as Bogdan Lobont is and the kids from the Primavera, Lorenzo Crisanto and Andrea Romagnoli. I get on with everyone. Usually keepers have a good rapport amongst them, it's rare there's any tension. You compete for the same spot in the team but everyone knows the best player will start, everyone's relaxed and they give 100%. That's positive for Roma, for the club's development, the fans and the team."

"I get on well with everyone, they're all cool guys. They've given me a warm welcome. I had a few issues with the language at the start but I'm learning it quickly."

What are your impressions on the club? Did you expect it to be like this?

"I didn't know what to expect, it's a new experience for me. I expected a big club with a proper structure and that's what I've found. Everyone is professional, all the staff members are qualified and there are many people whose job it is to help us express ourselves as best as we can on the pitch. The technical quality of the players is as high as I expected. I'm very happy with my decision: Roma has become my home."

How do you find the city?

"I haven't found an apartment yet, I'm still in a hotel but I'm gradually getting to know the city. I've been out to dinner with my wife a few times, the food is excellent and the climate is very similar to my home city, Porto Alegre. I haven't had any problems adapting. Not to mention all of the history and monuments in Rome. We're very happy to live here."

What have you thought about European football so far?

"It's a bit different to football in Brazil. There's more focus on tactics, especially in Italy. The football is more calculated and there are less chances on goal. It's rare that the opponent will give you a chance to score and if you open up to the opposition, it's fatal in the majority of cases. The technical quality is very high and it's a bit different to Brazil, but I've already got used to it and adapted. It's more or less what I expected from what my team-mates in the national team told me, most of them play in Europe."

Speaking of national teams, you started in Brazil's two victories in the Russia 2018 qualifiers.

"We've been through a difficult period with Brazil. We're now going through a transitional period, a change in generation. The current crop is very good and is gradually picking up experience. Top-class players are emerging, people who can make the difference like Neymar, Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus and Marquinhos, who is young and played in defence in the last two games when I was playing. Casemiro from Real Madrid is another. I'm convinced we're on the right track for the World Cup in 2018, which is our main aim."

The league gets going again on Sunday with Fiorentina v Roma and the head-to-head between Inter and Juventus at San Siro.

"Yes, it will be an important day, but we have to focus solely on Fiorentina. Winning this game is the only thing that matters to stay high up in the league, which is where Roma always have to be."