Camara focused on taking opportunities in Rome

Read everything the former Olympiacos midfielder had to say, as he settles in to life in the Italian capital...

Le parole di Tiago Pinto

“Oggi è l’ultima conferenza per questa sessione di mercato, in quanto presentiamo l’ultimo acquisto. Lui è già arrivato da qualche settimana, avete già visto Camara all’opera in alcune partite. Con tante partite ravvicinate, non c’è stato modo di fare prima la sua conferenza.

Come tutti sapete c’è stato l’infortunio di Gini, ma abbiamo avuto la capacità di trovare la soluzione giusta per la squadra, per avere più alternative per il gruppo e l’allenatore. Mady in queste settimane già ha dato buone risposte. Per lui è una sfida importante. Ci aiuterà in questa stagione, dentro e fuori dal campo. Anche il suo atteggiamento fuori dal campo sarà importante. Ora la parola al protagonista, grazie”.

What has surprised you most about Roma in the two weeks since you have been here?

“The thing that has surprised me the most is the family atmosphere there is around the place here.”

Is their one teammate who has helped you so far as you settle in?

“There hasn’t been one specifically, but all of them. Everyone has welcomed me really well, I would even say more like a brother than a teammate. Now I need to pay that back by doing my best for the team.”

How much did the presence of Jose Mourinho influence your decision to come to Roma? And were other clubs interested?

“It’s true that a few different clubs were interested in me. But when Roma came calling I did not have any doubts, especially after speaking to the coach who explained the project here. I am here to give everything and to help the team to achieve its goals.”

Did Kostas Manolas tell you anything about Rome and Roma? And what is the difference between the two fanbases?

“Yes, I spoke with Manolas after we had reached the agreement with Roma. He said really great things about Roma, about what a big club it is, and about the passion around it.

“As far as the fans go, the Olympiacos fans are incredibly passionate, they are amazing – but the Roma fans aren’t anything different. I think we all saw that yesterday [against HJK]. And I hope to earn the same reception from them as I did in Greece.”

You are 25 now – is this the most important opportunity of your career to date? And what does it feel like to be working for a coach like Mourinho?

“Working with Jose Mourinho is something I am really proud of, to be part of the squad for one of the greatest in the history of the game. Being 25 it’s a good opportunity for me. The important thing is to work hard, to make myself available, to never put any limits on what we can do.”

What do you make of the competition for places in midfield? What do you think your long-term prospects are at Roma?

“I have come here with the aim of staying here for a long time. That’s my dream. I am sharing a changing room with some great players, a few of which I used to play as on the PlayStation. I am proud of that. I need to focus on what I am doing, make sure I learn and listen and try to help the team to reach their goals.”

What are your first impressions of the Italian league?

“There are definitely a few differences. But every league has its own characteristics and culture – the French league did as well. The squad here has everything required to do well, now it’s up to me to make sure I settle in and do well.”

What do you still need to do to get in top shape? And what do you think you will bring to this club?

“As the coach said, I’m still not in top shape. But I am working day after day in order to reach that level. As I have already said, I don’t want to put limits on myself.”

What has Mourinho been asking of you so far?

“The coach just pushes me to work hard, to work with a purpose and to win our games to reach our targets.”