Pjanic praises the team: There's always an option to pass to

Speaking to Roma Radio the day after Luciano Spalletti's side triumphed in Friday's head-to-head encounter at the Olimpico, the Bosnian midfielder was full of praise for the team's current form and their organisation in particular.

“There was plenty of movement out there, always an option to pass to, and that obviously makes everything so much easier,” the 25-year-old observed. “The team is a well-oiled machine at the moment. There's always someone in support. We're running like clockwork and you can see that from the results we're picking up.”

Pjanic also shared his views on Luciano Spalletti.

“I knew about him because of the football Roma played when he was here before. He's a good coach and a demanding one too - he's always on our backs. But you can talk to him about anything and he'll always defend you if you do what he asks. But if you don't...

“He places great emphasis on defensive play. We do a lot of hard, intense work during the week. Physically we're looking good and not only the regular starters but anyone who plays. Everyone deserves credit for that – the coaching staff, the players and the gaffer.”

How do you feel yourself?

“I'm enjoying a decent spell of form, like the rest of the team. We're playing great. I feel good and I'm enjoying my football. We have to keep it up now. Confidence makes everything easier. We want to make the most of this, stay focused and keep going.”

How do you find playing behind a front three of Mohamed Salah, Diego Perotti and Stephan El Shaarawy?

“It's good. We've got to know each other now and I'm linking up well on the right-hand side with Salah - he knows exactly which movements to make - with Maicon and [Alessandro] Florenzi. We know what each of us brings to the table and we put those skills at the service of the team in the best way possible. We mustn't let up now. We're enjoying a positive spell and there are still lots of points to play for.”

What's the mood like heading into Tuesday's game in Madrid?

“Obviously we have to go there and give it our best shot. Unfortunately the first-leg result was very harsh on us. We could have scored ourselves but in matches like that when you're up against world-class players it doesn't take much to tip the balance. We're in good shape and it will be tough in Madrid but we'll pull out all the stops and try to play the perfect game. We need to be organised and make the most of the chances we get.”

How is Edin Dzeko doing at the moment?

“Like the rest of us, Edin would like to play all the time but it's up to the coach of course – he's the one who picks the team. It's natural to be disappointed if you don't start the game. We need Edin and he'll need us too so that he can keep scoring. But at the end of the day, it's the coach who decides.”

It doesn't take much to go from hero to zero in Rome, so you need to keep your feet on the ground...

“Definitely. The coach says we're playing well but we have to keep going. We're a young squad hungry for success. We have targets we want to reach. 30 points are a lot but we'll give everything we've got to try and take maximum points. It will be easier if we play like yesterday.”

If you had to find a personal flaw of yours, what would it be?

“I'm very critical of myself. I'm disappointed when my team doesn't win or if I haven't played a decisive role. I'd like to always do my best for my team-mates. Then you get times when it seems that football just doesn't make sense anymore. We had two months when we looked like the shadows of our former selves. We're a top-quality team and we're seeing the real Roma now. Sadly we had that dip during the season and it's a shame.”

How do you like it at Roma? Is this perhaps your happiest period?

“I've always been happy in Rome, ever since I joined. It's different at Roma to at other clubs. I'm as fond of Roma as I am of my first club, Metz. The club is looking to raise the bar all the time and that's important for me. Roma want to win things and so do I. Hopefully we will.”

One downside at the moment is that the Curva Sud is missing...

“No one has fans quite like ours. It will be virtually impossible for opponents to win in the new stadium with these fans. I hope they can work things out and we get the fans right behind us again – they've always been behind us and they always are for away games. We want to give them performances like last night to cheer about.”