Nzonzi ready for another huge derby showdown

Read what Steven Nzonzi had to say ahead of Saturday's Serie A meeting against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico...

The French midfielder - a World Cup winner in the summer - spoke to Roma's match programme to preview the eagerly awaited Derby della Capitale this weekend.

The game gets underway at 20:30 local time.

The victory over Frosinone, especially considering how it came, is something that will give everyone a big lift ahead of the derby!

“It’s definitely a big confidence boost, great for the morale. It was a big game to win in Frosinone – the conditions weren’t the best but you can’t use that as an excuse. But perhaps a few months ago we wouldn’t have won. It was cold, incredibly windy, the pitch wasn’t in great shape… but it was a game we needed to win and we managed to do it. This shows the side is growing and improving, and mentally that’s important going into the derby.”

The first derby meeting went well: what did you make of that day?

“It was an incredible atmosphere, extraordinary. Every derby is a special occasion, it’s a tough battle – more so than another game. It will be a special game for the club, for the fans. We won the first meeting, although it wasn’t easy, and we are expecting another tough clash. But we are ready for it.”

How much has your form this season been affected by playing in the World Cup in the summer?

“It definitely means you have to change you preparations a little bit. For two months we worked incredibly hard, both physically and mentally it was tiring. The players who went to the World Cup basically missed pre-season and a lot of friendlies. So you have to adapt. Personally, right now I feel good – I know I can do more though and I am trying hard. The World Cup definitely had an impact, but it was an incredible feeling. Now I’m happy to be here.”

The derby kicks off a decisive period in the season…

“We heading into that key period, the end of the campaign. A few months ago we weren’t going through the best period, but we knew that the season still had a long way to go. A lot of times it ends up being more important to finish the season well than to start it well. Now what matters is that we win the games in front of us and keep pushing forward. The derby is the first of a number of important games, and it’s important we pick up a good result. It will give us momentum for the following games too.”

What, or who, worries you most from Lazio?

“I wouldn’t say there is fear. We know they are a good side, a team with a lot of talented players who are doing well right now. As a collective they are strong and united. Personally I don’t focus too much on individuals; generally we don’t have to be worried about anyone, although I don’t mean that in a negative way. We play 11 against 11 – it will be a great battle and we want to win.”

But then after that there is the game against Porto…

“We know it will be two demanding games, physically but also mentally. Two games where we need to give 100%. It will be vital after the game against Lazio that we recovery and prepare well. They are both the sort of games you can’t wait to play in, and I’m confident we can get the results we need.”