Manolas: Race for second place not over yet

Despite being two points behind Napoli with a tough trip to AC Milan to contend with on Saturday, Manolas is adamant that Roma will be focused on getting the win in the hope that Napoli slip up at home to Frosinone.

“The race for second place is not over yet,” Manolas told Roma Radio on Thursday. “Napoli have an easier game than us on Saturday, seeing as we’re playing against AC Milan, but you never know in football. We’ll give it our best shot and we’ll certainly be going to Milan to win.”

What kind of match are you expecting at San Siro?

“It’s important that we produce a top performance, as always. Roma is a big club and we always need to be aiming to win our games. As I’ve said, that’s what we want on Saturday. We know it’ll be tough against AC Milan, especially seeing as they need points to qualify for the Europa League.”

Do the achievements of Leicester City in the Premier League prove you must never stop believing?

“Absolutely. I want to say congratulations to Claudio Ranieri – who was the Greece manager for a spell – on what he’s done with Leicester and I wish him every success for next year too. I think it’s an even bigger achievement than Greece winning Euro 2004, because a league season lasts 38 games while there are just six or seven in the Euros.”

You might even cross paths with Ranieri in next season’s Champions League…

“Well, first we need to see if we have to go through the play-offs or straight into the groups, then we’ll think about that.”

Luciano Spalletti has been here for a few months now. He’s a demanding coach – what’s your relationship with him like?

“I have a good relationship with all my coaches. He wants to win, as they all do. In order to win, a side needs to be clinical. If a coach doesn’t have that edge to him, the players pick up on it and it becomes a mess. You always need a tough coach.”

How is your partnership with Toni Rudiger coming along?

“I realised he was a great player as soon as I saw him. It’s not easy to come in from a different league and perform well right from the off. He’s a young guy and has the character you need to become a top player. If he carries on the way he is, he’ll be a great defender.”

How do you like life in Rome?

“It’s great, very relaxed. Even more so now that we’re doing well. That’s football. If you win things are great, if you lose you’re under pressure.”

The fans have really taken to you. Can you sense that?

“On the pitch I definitely can. We’ve missed having the fans there this season. It hurts the team because we need our supporters.”

Random question: Who’s the craziest out of Alessandro Florenzi, Radja Nainggolan and Wojciech Szczesny?

“Nainggolan, no doubt about it.”

There have been some intense football tennis matches in training lately. Are you one of the best in the squad?

“There are better players than me. Usually we play one on one, but if we were playing in teams I’d choose the most technically gifted player in the squad: Francesco Totti.”