Cristante calls for focus ahead of derby

Bryan Cristante believes focus and determination will be the key as Roma head into an early-season derby against Lazio on Sunday.

The Giallorossi go into the game with both a coach and a number of players who will be experiencing the atmosphere of the Derby della Capitale for the very first time - in what is only the second competitive game of the new season.

With so many people still adjusting to their new surroundings, Cristante believes the mental aspect will be more important than any other for Paulo Fonseca’s side at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Everyone knows what the derby means in Rome,” Cristante told the club’s official match programme.

“This time it takes place very early in the season, where perhaps they are in a different situation – they have largely kept the same tactical ideas and squad members from last season.

“We are in the early stages of a new project but we want to play a great game and show that we are here and want to have a big say in the league right until the end.”

He added: “We’ve already shown that we can be dangerous, that we can score goals in a number of ways. We need to be focused throughout and show our quality.

“We know that the start of the season will be tough, as it always is in years when a lot changes at a club.

"But we also know that we have the potential to be a really good side, it’s a decent group of lads and we are working well together. So our aim remains the same – continue on this path to achieve everything we can.”

Asked about the opening day draw with Genoa, in which Roma looked threatening going forward but struggled at times defensively, Cristante acknowledged that it was always going to be a different sort of game compared to the pre-season games in which the Giallorossi had generally fared well.

“Friendlies are one thing, but once the season starts then you are really tested – opponents make life harder and you have to adjust,” he said.

“It was the first game, we played well but there is clearly a lot we can still improve. But we are on the right path. There is still time and with every game we will better adjust to what the coach wants.”

Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini were the two players who were given the nod by Fonseca for the opening match but, with summer signings Amadou Diawara and Jordan Veretout both waiting in the wings, competition for places in midfield should be competitive throughout the season.

“The coach plays with two in the middle. I’ve often played in a system like that and I like it,” Cristante said.

“I like the way the coach wants to play. His style of play is based on attacking – he wants to keep possession and give us all the best chance to play an attractive, ambitious game.”

On the competition for places, he said: “We are all good players, the four of us can all play together too. I knew how good Veretout and Diawara are, even before they came here.

“There are a lot of games this season, we are in three competitions, so there will be chances for everyone. The coach will decide who should play, but we will all get the chance to show what we are capable of."

Sunday's game gets underway at 18:00 local time.