Dzeko: Our task is clear over final three games

The striker acknowledges that the Giallorossi face an uphill battle to finish in the top four in Serie A this season, but is adamant nothing is over until it is over.

Champions Juventus come to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday (20:30 kick-off, local time), and Dzeko knows it is practically a must-win game for Claudio Ranieri’s side.

Read what the striker had to say about that match and much more, in an exclusive interview published in the latest edition of the club’s match programme...

You face Juventus on Sunday. Your first-ever Roma goal actually came against Juventus, in a 2-1 win...

“It’s hard to describe how it felt. It was my first goal in a new league, I don’t know how to put that into words – there are so many emotions involved. For me it is a goal I will never forget.

Conceding in the last minute against Genoa last weekend made Roma’s Champions League quest a lot tougher...

“Clearly that goal has complicated everything. We are disappointed because we had to dig deep to score in the first place, and then to concede in the last minute, from a corner, just can’t happen. We squandered two vital points.”

And then Mirante saved a penalty too to salvage a point. Perhaps it could still be an important point gained...

“Obviously it’s not the same, losing or drawing. We are grateful to Antonio and hope that the point might end up having a decisive difference at the end – but for me it is still two points dropped.”

Dropping points in the closing stages once again - it's something that has happened too much this season. If games finished at 90 minutes, Roma would be third in the league...

“But we aren’t third. The games always go into added time after the 90 minutes and you need to be focused right up until the end, right until the referee blows the whistle.”

On Sunday Juventus come to the Olimpico. Since they became champions they haven’t won: drawing against Inter and Torino. What sort of game are you expecting?

“Roma-Juventus is always a big game – for them as well. Cristiano Ronaldo wants to finish the season as top goalscorer. In the Italian league no-one gifts anyone anything – but we need to take all nine points between now and the end of the season. After that we will see.”

On Sunday the game will kick off with you already knowing how the other sides in the Champions League race have got on: is that an advantage or a disadvantage?

“I don’t know, it doesn’t change much. We need to win – that’s it.”

Roma need to pick up nine points and then hope. Atalanta have the most points, Milan perhaps have the kindest fixture list. Who is the favourite?

“Clearly Atalanta are, because they are three points ahead. We need to make sure we win all our games otherwise, even if Atalanta slip up, it won’t mean much.”

Are there any regrets about how this season has gone? Of the 45 games played, which ones would you like to play again?

“There are quite a few games I would like to play again this season... maybe the Champions League second leg against Porto more than any other. In the league, however, I would love to play the second half against Atalanta in Bergamo again: if we had won that game it would be a different league table right now.”

Ranieri’s arrival has changed things. What has he worked on with you all? What has he brought to the squad?

“Clearly this season we have conceded too many goals. Ranieri wanted to work on this side of things and defensively we’ve been much better. I don’t think that depends entirely on the coach, however, we know as players that we need to attack and defend as a unit.”

37 games, 13 goals, 10 assists. Those are your numbers, although that doesn’t always describe a player's true contribution. Are you pleased with your season so far?

“No, I’m not happy. I should have done better, both for me and for the team. Unfortunately you cannot change the past. We need to do everything to qualify for the Champions League, but it won’t be easy. We’ve dropped a lot of points.”

This is your fourth season with Roma. With 86 goals, you are eighth in the club’s all-time goalscorers list. Part of Roma’s history...

“Yes, but I’ve not won anything. It’s a bit strange to be part of a club’s history without winning something. We should have done better and won something in the last four years.

"This year, for example, we should have done better in the Coppa Italia – considering how much better Juventus have been in the league. But we weren’t able to do that and I’m the first one disappointed with that.”

How much have you been helped by your relationship with the city itself?

“I’ve always said that I am happy here in Rome, and my family are settled. Rome will always be important to me, even after I finish playing football.”

What’s the best moment you’ve had with Roma? Which memory stands out?

“Definitely the game against Barcelona – what else could I say?! It was a remarkable evening.”

It will be tough, but do you believe we can qualify for the Champions League?

“We have to believe we can do it – if we don’t believe it becomes a lot harder. We have to try and pick up nine points, otherwise there won’t be much hope. In football anything can happen, we saw that again with what Liverpool did in the Champions League this week. In football you can never say, ‘That won’t happen.’”