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Mancini, currently observing the lockdown that has now been going on for more than three weeks in Italy, answered questions about how he is coping in such strange times - before answering queries on a variety of different topics.
Here's a selection of what the Italy international had to say...
Right now Roma are not sitting around – the club is doing its part to help as many people as possible with a number of initiatives in these tough times.
“Personally, and on behalf of my teammates as well, I can say that we are really proud of the club. Obviously everything with the coronavirus crisis has had such a huge impact, and knowing that the club is doing so much, like helping Spallanzani hospital, makes me happy to be part of such a club.”
We all miss football a lot – but what about you?
“We miss it a lot as well! I love the game. It’s not bad that Sky Sport are showing a few old games on TV but I miss going to Trigoria, being with my teammates, working hard to get better in training and everything else we do each day. We are not used to being at home.
"I’m lucky enough to have a garden so I can go and kick the ball about a little bit – but it’s not the same. This is a tough time where we are all learning something new – like my wife, who isn’t used to having me around all day!"
Were you nervous about your Roma debut?
“I was on the bench for my first game. It was exciting, I’d played at the Olimpico as an opponent but to do it as a Roma player, with the support behind you, was different and I really made sure I savoured that experience.”
Which forwards do you not like facing – excluding Roma ones!
“[Edin] Dzeko would be one of them, it’s true… perhaps [Dries] Mertens and [Gonzalo] Higuain. When we come up against those we study them closely during the week and during the game. Of course they can make things difficult for you because they are top players. This year I also came up against Lautaro [Martinez] for the first time, who is a great forward and I think will go on to have a great career. It’s better to face him just twice a year…”
Is it harder to play against Dzeko or [Papu] Gomez?
“They are two different types of player. I played against Edin four or five times when I was at Atalanta – and every time it seemed like he was having the game of his life! Perhaps Papu is tougher to go against in one-on-one situations, but they have different styles.”
What is the jump like from Primavera to the first team?
“It’s a huge step up, when you move to the first team you are playing against men who have done it all – so you need to learn fast to make sure you reach the same level they have.”
When did you finally settle on being a defender?
“When I was in the youth sector I changed position a lot. I was a winger, I was a forward. Then I focused more on central midfield. The first year with Fiorentina’s Primavera I was put in central midfield but I slowly began to have a few problems, because of my physique. Along with Vincenzo Montella, the first-team coach at the time, we decided I would move into defence.”
Is there a defender from the past that you would have loved to play with?
“Definitely – the obvious one is Marco Materazzi, who was my idol. Another would be Alessandro Nesta.”
How are you spending your days right now?
“I wake up about 09:30, and then I make breakfast. I will train in the morning or the afternoon, depending on things. Roma have given me a programme to follow and the equipment to training. I do a lot of things that I couldn’t before, stuff around the house. After training I might watch TV with my wife, or do some puzzles. I play games online, watch films and then go to sleep.”
Any advice for others in lockdown right now?
“Try to keep active, even if you cannot go out. You can still do a few things inside the house, even if it isn’t quite the same. We all need to stay home and spend time with our families, making the most of that opportunity.”
What about your friendship with Leonardo Spinazzola?
“It started the first year we were at Perugia. We are about the same age, we played together and we would spend time together. Our wives have become friends and now we are very close, beyond being teammates.”
What video games do you tend to play?
“Call of Duty and FIFA. It depends a bit on who is online - I have some friends that like one, and some that prefer the other.”
What’s your favourite Roman dish?
“I have two – cacio e pepe and carbonara. I go mad for both of them – although eating any of them right now is a bit tough. And not just because at home it isn’t quite the same as at a restaurant! I prefer to eat and enjoy them when I’m training hard and doing well!”
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