Interview: Di Criscio goes deep on her career and Roma aspirations

During the current international break, Di Criscio sat down with Roma Radio for a long discussion about her career, along with her thoughts about the current season for the Giallorossi.

Read everything she had to say...

You’ve won your last four games in a row and are just three points behind leaders Juventus. Are you contenders now or do you prefer to stay out of the spotlight?

“Out of the spotlight. At the heart of everything we do is the humility our coach has conveyed to us. I think our results and performances speak for themselves. We’re a team that everybody fears. It will definitely get more and more difficult to keep it going but we want to continue on this path. We want to achieve the objective set by the club at the start of the season. We’ll give our all.”

You ran a lot of risks against Sassuolo, particularly after it went to 2-1. How important is it to be able to dig in during moments like that, as well as being able to dominate games?

“We were used to having to dig in last year a bit too – we’d find it tough in the first half and then grow into it after the break. In the Sassuolo game we struggled a bit but I think that’s part of the fact that we’re not yet experienced enough to keep the tempo high all the time. After we conceded the goal we could have managed the game better, but I think it happens. We dominated for a long period of the game and then we reacted well.”

Next up are Florentia, who are currently on six points for the season. What kind of risks does the game entail?

“Sunday will be a difficult game. They’ve made a lot of signings and I’m sure they’ll want to perform well. They want to achieve safety as soon as possible, so every point is vital for them. We’re expecting it to be a very difficult game to play – we need to impose our game from the off as we have done in all our matches.”

How is the team different from last season? Is there a different vibe in the dressing room?

“I think the arrival of lots of new girls has brought us together and given us more belief in what we can achieve than last season. We’ve got players who have played internationally and who are used to playing to a high intensity – that mentality is rubbing off on the rest of the dressing room. But there are no other differences. We have a good group again this year. The coaching staff are brilliant: they really believe in the group and it’s really important to feel that every day.”

Have you been impressed by any of the new signings in particular?

“In terms of character I’ve been really impressed by Andrine Hegerberg. She uses her experience and always has time for the young players, even though you might not hear it all the time. She always wants to do the work and that’s something that’s really struck me.”

How did you start out in football?

“I started playing football from a very early age, when I was four and a half. My brother played football and my uncle was a football coach. It was difficult at the start because my mum didn’t want me to play. I tried artistic gymnastics, mini basketball, basically every sport… In the end they realised that I wasn’t going to let it lie and they gave in.”

Have you always been a defender?

“I’ve played in all positions, but a few years ago at Verona I was played in defence for a friendly match. I’ve been there ever since!”

Who are your idols?

“I liked [Andriy] Shevchenko – my family are big AC Milan fans. I really liked him. Also Thiago Silva and [Fabio] Cannavaro. They’re my biggest idols.”

You left home at a very early age to follow your dreams. What advice would you give to young girls making their way in football now?

“I was a bit of a closed book when I left my hometown – I wasn’t sure of what I was going to find. I definitely had high expectations. My message to parents now is that thankfully things have changed, there are clubs that have invested and are showing that they believe in women’s football and that means there are more opportunities and more certainty. If somebody has talent, they need to take the right path.”

Who are the people you owe the most in football?

“My coach at Verona played a fundamental role, as did some of my former team-mates. I had Melania Gabbiadini as a role model – she was a real guiding light for me. Her humility meant she was always a different kind of leader and I always looked up to her. There were many other players too, like Patrizia Panico and other experienced players, who passed on a lot of values to me. My national-team coaches were important too: [Enrico] Sbardella, [Corrado] Corradini and [Antonio] Cabrini. They always believed in me and gave me great opportunities, so they were important to me.”

Is there a particular match that you’ll never forget?

“I’ll never forget my World Cup debut in 2012, even though it ended up with me getting sent off. I don’t think I’ll ever experience a feeling like it. The atmosphere, the importance… it’s one of those games I’ll never forget.”

Is there a game you like to play in for Roma?

“Our first Champions League game and the last league game when we win the title.”

Who’s the best player you’ve ever played with?

“I think the best is Melania Gabbiadini, both in terms of her character and for her physical and technical ability.”

How would you describe playing in the Champions League?

“The intensity is very different in the Champions League. You come up against teams that are still ahead of us. Most of the teams are professional. We’re getting closer to that gradually, but for now there is still a big gap. There’s a big difference in terms of the physical side of things – they’re superior in that regard.”

How do you get focused before a game?

“I have rituals like listening to music, but I don’t always do that. It depends on the game. I don’t have a set ritual. I like to be calm and do things that help me relax.”

What’s your favourite thing about Rome?

“I love the Colosseum and the centre of Rome. I settled in straight away – I think Rome feels like home to everyone. The people are really welcoming and you don’t always find people like that. In Verona, for example, the people are colder and more reserved, but Rome is a city that opens its doors to you.”

What do you do in your spare time?

“I like to explore the city and I also try to do a bit of extra training. I like meeting new people so I’m often out and about.”