Carles Perez: We can't wait to get going again

With negotiations over safety and security reaching a successful conclusion, the Italian league is set to resume over the weekend of June 20 – as players return to action after over three months of inactivity.

“Myself and my teammates can’t wait to get started,” Perez said.

“We are delighted that there is now a date, June 20, for the restart – which makes us and so many other people, who wanted the season to resume, so delighted.”

How has training been these past few weeks?

“We’ve been working very hard on the physical side of things. Now we are training with the ball once again. It was inevitable that we would have to start working hard on fitness, because two months training at home is not quite the same as putting your boots on and going to work alongside the rest of the squad. We are working hard to get in shape and be ready to go.”

You made your Europa League debut against Gent – scoring a decisive goal as Roma got through the round. How far can Roma go in the competition?

“I was delighted to get my first goal for the club, and even more so given it was my debut in the competition. I really believe Roma can win the cup – it’s a squad with the quality to achieve that objective.”

How have you found working with Paulo Fonseca?

“The boss showed his confidence in me from the start – and that was a big thing for me. At Barcelona I got used to playing from out wide, but here he asks me to play a bit more in the centre of the pitch. So I am learning the movements that go with that and when I need to make runs at the right time to find space.”

Can Roma qualify for the Champions League next season?

“I have no doubt about that aim and we are all determined to hit the ground running – certain that we can win as many matches as possible to reach that top-four spot.”

Do you feel like you could be at Roma for a long time?

“I hope so! I’ve settled in well, I feel good here and the fans have been great with me since I arrived. I hope I can stay here a long time, score a lot of goals and create a lot too. But in the end the main thing are the results and the wins that the team picks up.”