Ibanez eager for side to prove point against Inter

The Giallorossi, currently third in the table, go into the game at the Stadio Olimpico knowing that a victory over the Nerazzurri will underline their credentials as things heat up at the top of the Serie a standings.

“It’s another important game,” Ibanez said.

“We need to go out there and play like we have been recently. We’ve had blips in two games [against Napoli and Atalanta] and that can’t become a habit.

“Against Inter we want to be able to show we’ve found consistency.”

With Inter currently second in the standings, the game could be an important measuring stick for Roma’s ambitions over the second half of the 2020-21 season.

Ibanez sees no reason why the side cannot make a real statement of intent.

“I expected us to be up there in the table,” Ibanez said. “Roma is a big team and it should always be up there at the top of the table.

“It’s not by chance that we are where we are. Our target remains qualifying for the Champions League, but we won’t put limits on ourselves.”

A key factor in the successful switch to a three-man defensive system, the Brazilian believes that tactical change has helped the side across the pitch.

“We feel better defensively now,” he said. “From three to four at the back a lot changes.

“I can play in any of those three positions, it depends what the team needs from me.

“With the new system we’ve worked out how we can make more passes between the lines and create spaces in different parts of the pitch. It was not just about making ourselves more secure at the back.”

Sunday's game gets underway at 12:30 CET.