Garcia shoots down title talk

“We came here to Florence to secure top spot, but also to play with the right attitude. I saw two sides to our play tonight. Up until the first goal we pressed high up the field, and then after taking the lead we hung back and played on the counter. The match will give us confidence in defense because we conceded very few chances and limited them to long-range efforts, which Szczesny dealt well with. I’m pleased. The guys were excellent tonight, both tactically and mentally.”

You were never under any real pressure tonight. Did you manage the game better than you have done in recent weeks?

“Yes, and that’s why I think it’s an important match for our defense. Obviously we needed our two wide men, Gervinho and Mohamed Salah, to put the work in at the back. That said, they were still able to make their mark up front.”

Gervinho and Salah really tied in with the team’s play tonight. Is that down to the coach?

“After the Empoli game we emphasised how well my staff had analyzed the opposition and once again tonight Simone Beccaccioli and Frederic Bompard gave me the information I needed to take on Fiorentina. They have a strong playing philosophy and we read this well, using the two strategies I’ve already mentioned. Sure, our possession stats will have suffered a bit tonight, but the team can use the game to realize what we’re capable of – whilst keeping our feet on the ground.”

How did you think William Vainqueur and Edin Džeko got on tonight?

“William was playing as a deep midfielder tonight. He understood what I was expecting from him and played well. Džeko was invaluable and allowed us to move forward as a team by fighting for everything. He’s not at 100% so the 90 minutes will help him in terms of his fitness. He didn’t get as much service after the first goal – we wanted to press intensely in their half and then after we scored we doubled up on the flanks and limited them to long-range efforts.”

How’s Daniele De Rossi? Will he be able to play against Inter?

“I think so. He took a knock against Empoli and just gritted his teeth against Leverkusen. He was OK today but it was too much of a risk and it was better to bring him off. He’s suspended on Wednesday so will have a rest, which is good for him but a shame for the team.”

When did you decide to start Salah? It was a delicate match for him…

“The only response he could give was to play well and score, and when he did, he didn’t celebrate out of respect for his former side. He had a great game. I spoke to him before the match and could see he was relaxed. It was a big surprise to see the double booking. I don’t think he can have said something to the referee, who was a bit harsh there despite having a good game in general.”

Who are the favorites for the Scudetto?

“Not Roma, not so long ago we were all rubbish, from the players to the coach and even the sporting director. We can’t be favorites now just because we’re in first place. We just keep doing our job and right now we’re first after a quarter of the season. I don’t need to tell my players they need to keep their feet on the ground.

"I want to thank the fans that were here tonight, we need them at the Olimpico too because we can’t achieve big things without them. We believe in ourselves if we stick together and show humility, but there’s a long way to go.”