Falque: Roma is the perfect place for me

Speaking on Roma Radio on Thursday morning, the Spanish wide reflected on his current form so far this season and underlined his determination to get his hands on some silverware this season.

“I hope to stay here for a long time,” he enthused. “I love it here. I feel like I need to spend a good few years here and Roma is the perfect place.”

How would you rate Roma’s season so far?

“We know where our strengths are – we have a roster full of top players. We’re on the right track and in the past month we have produced some fantastic performances. We hope to win something this year and I think at the end of the day that’s an objective we all share.”

How did you find it playing a bit more centrally in the derby on Sunday?

“It’s a position I played in when I was younger. I like it because it allows me to have a more active role in the team’s build-up play. Rudi Garcia had let me know a few days previously so we could work on it a bit and thankfully it turned out well.”

How have you integrated into the Roma squad?

“Very well, I get on with everyone. Of course everybody is different and everybody has their own personality but that helps to build a good group. If everybody were like me or Radja Nainggolan then that would not be a good thing! Jokes aside, we’re doing well and, more importantly, we’re all very happy.”

This is your second year in Serie A. What was it like starting out in Italian football?

“There was a bit of skepticism in the beginning but you’re judged at the end of your time and not at the start. I was confident when I arrived because I really believed that Genoa was right for me. And now I think that Roma is the perfect fit for this stage in my career. I’m lucky to be playing a lot here and I have the confidence of the boss – that’s a great feeling.”

Some say that Spanish players don’t have much joy in Serie A…

“I think that Italians and Spaniards are very similar and for me Rome is like being in Spain. It’s true that Spanish players have had a tough time here in the past but that’s not the case now. There have been some great Spanish players in Serie A recently, such as Marcos Alonso, José Callejón and Fernando Llorente up until last summer. There are lots of Spanish players here now.”

You will be returning to Spain soon for the upcoming Champions League match against Barcelona. How does it feel to be going back to Catalonia?

“Barcelona is a unique city and of course the issue of independence has come to the fore in recent years. In any case, I feel proud to be going back to play at the Camp Nou and we’re all very lucky to be playing against Barcelona in the Champions League as it means we’re taking on the biggest clubs in the world and that our efforts are paying off. It will also be a chance for me to see some of my former team-mates from when I was in the youth set-up there - the likes of Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba and others.”

You’ve made it clear that you’re very happy here in Rome. What bond do you have with the city?

“I head into town around twice a week with my girlfriend. Sometimes people stop to say hello but often the fans don’t recognise me so I’m able to walk around freely. I love it here because the people treat me very well.”

How are you finding life away from football? Are you really the normal, laid-back guy you seem to be?

“I am. I have a very normal life. Football is my job but other than that I like to explore the city centre, doing things we all like doing. I have a dog, Chato, and he’s the king of the house. Chato and my girlfriend are in charge at home. I like cooking too, mainly simple things though. My girlfriend and I have an understanding: I cook and then she cleans up after dinner!”