Florenzi counts down the Top 10 Roma games of 2015

10. Palermo 2-4 Roma, 2015-16

“We played really well that day in Palermo. We got the opener through Miralem Pjanic early doors and that set us on our way. We were always in control of proceedings and never really struggled, apart from a few minutes at the end when they pulled it back to 2-3 from 0-3 through Alberto Gilardino and Giancarlo Gonzalez. Then Gervinho put the game to bed in added time with another great goal after scoring a brilliant one in the first half.

“I got the second, which put us 2-0 up. I remember the ball came to me from a pass by Miralem, although actually I think he was trying to shoot! I managed to turn nicely and stick it away to double our lead. It gave us a bit of a cushion and after that we were able to see out the rest of the game fairly comfortably.”

9. Feyenoord 1-2 Roma, 2014-15

“What I remember most vividly about that game – although I was in the stands – was that we won an important match and the best part of the evening was the passion and support our fans showed us. They were brilliant. There were loads of them and they really got behind us for the whole 90 minutes. As for the game itself, I remember we played well and fought hard. The stadium was packed and Gervinho got the winner – his goal made it 1-2 to us and that's what sent us through to the next round of the Europa League.

“Playing on the international stage brings out the best in you. It makes you step up your game – both individually and as a team – against opponents who play a different style of football. They're always very important games – for the UEFA ranking too. The more you win - the higher Italy climbs up the rankings.”

8. Roma 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen, 2015-16

“I thought it was all going swimmingly [at 2-0]. We'd come racing out the blocks and we played some fantastic football in the first-half at a high tempo. We went in at the break two goals to the good thanks to Mohamed Salah's early opener and Edin Dzeko's second.

“After they equalised at 2-2, I started thinking it was going to be really tough to win. Clearly we got our approach wrong at the start of the second-half because they were level within a matter of minutes. Fortunately we were able to switch back to our first-half mindset and Miralem restored our lead from the spot. That game was massive in determining who went through to the next round because the Germans were our main rivals for second place in the group.”

7. Fiorentina 1-2 Roma, 2015-16

“This game would certainly rank up there near the top, although I must say we didn't really play our normal game that day. We played on the counter because they afforded us lots of space and we were able to get in behind and hurt them with our pace in Salah and Gervinho. It was no coincidence those two got the goals that day. We played really well, especially defensively. They didn't score until the game was almost over when Khouma Babacar netted in the 94th minute.

“Generally I like to have the ball and be able to play it but I think having that sort of situation in a match – big open spaces to exploit on the break – brings out the best in some of my team-mates. People like Gervinho and Salah, as I said. If you let those two have acres of space, they have a field day!”

6. Roma 1-1 Barcelona, 2015-16

“The point we earned was important but not only for the final group standings – above all it was an injection of confidence. That game told us we were a match for the reigning European champions, who are now the world champions as well because they've won the Club World Cup. We put on a superb defensive display against Barcelona in Rome and held our own against a fantastic team.”

“How many times have I watched my goal? Quite a few... I got so many nice messages from so many people who I've met during the course of my life. And it went on for days! Obviously that was a really nice moment. It was a great feeling [to be nominated by FIFA for goal of the year]. It would feel even better if I manage to pull off another feat and actually win the award! It would be a huge honour.”

5. Roma 2-2 Lazio, 2014-15

“[At half-time and 2-nil down] We came in off the pitch, looked each other in the eyes and told ourselves the match wasn't over, that we had enough quality in our team to get back in it. Then after the break, Francesco Totti's two goals earned us a thoroughly deserved point.

“I think there are times when if you can't win a game then it's important at least not to lose it. In the end 2-2 was a good result, especially given the way the game had gone in the first half.

“Totti’s selfie? Actually I only saw it in the dressing room after the game. At the time, with all the celebrations going on, I didn't notice. When I saw the footage afterwards I thought, ‘What's that nutter done now?’ because I wondered how anyone could come up with an idea like that on the spur of the moment. But then speaking to Francesco and the rest of the dressing room afterwards I realised it had all been planned. All the same, it was still a brilliant way to celebrate and very original – especially because it was Francesco who did it and he's about the least ‘social’ guy I know! He started a whole new craze for that sort of selfie.”

4. Roma 1-0 Napoli, 2014-15

“It was massive [goal from Pjanic] because it was against a direct rival and a very good side who also happened to be on top form. That 1-0 win was a key match in the second half of last season.

“I remember we played really, really well. Our concentration was top notch against a Napoli side who played a great game themselves and caused problems for us all match long. We were very solid and we made the most of that chance to score with Pjanic and take home the three points which, as I said, proved to be crucial."

3. Roma 2-0 Lazio, 2015-16

“As Rudi Garcia says, and it's something we all think: You don't play the derby, you win it, however you need to. That day we won it convincingly, battling for every ball and showing that we're a really united team. We ended up with a very solid 2-0 win because Lazio had very few chances over the 90 minutes.

"Winning the derby is huge thing in this city. The significance it holds for so many people means it’s worth double.”

2. Roma 2-1 Juventus, 2015-16

“That Sunday at the Olimpico, we were really aggressive. I think we should hold that game up as an example to follow for the rest of the season because we really got at our opponents that day, fighting tooth and nail for every ball. If we want to achieve something big we need to play like that all the time.

“Miralem's free kick was a real beauty – execution-wise it was perfect. Then Edin scored that gargantuan header, climbing above a great player like Giorgio Chiellini to give us an extra goal cushion.”

1. Lazio 1-2 Roma, 2014-15

“Everything hinged on that match: It would either take us up to heaven or down into hell. Fortunately hell was for them while that goal by Mapou sent us into heaven.

”Before the game, everyone said we were going to play for a draw – which is all we needed – but we showed on the pitch that we really wanted to win it and that's what happened. When the final whistle blew we were in seventh heaven because it was such an important game – the derby – and we'd sealed second place which meant we'd qualified for the Champions League group stage.”

“It was just one big party [in the dressing room] and everyone joined in. I must say the celebration pic we took in front of the Sud after the game will always be a special memory for me. That photo hangs in our dressing room and I'm sure it will stay there for a while. It was a special afternoon for so many people.”