Shop
You’ve just passed 50 goals for Roma, with two other big milestones around the corner – you’ve scored 99 goals in your career and made 199 appearances for Roma. What does it mean to you?
“It’s definitely a great feeling to be reaching these sort of landmarks. I have to see them not as something I’ve achieved, but as a motivation to go on and reach even higher. To keep improving day-by-day and to keep having that ambition to be better.
“They are significant numbers but the thing that really matters, the thing that I really want, is to continue to give everything I have and continue to improve.”
Over the last two seasons we have seen you mostly on the left wing, covering that whole flank as more of a wing-back. Do you see that as your main position now?
“I’ve always said that I’ve never had any problem adaptimg my game to the needs of the coach. At the start of the year I was playing closer to goal, more as a trequartista, but I can play as a wing-back as well without issues. I might be a bit further from goal, which makes it harder to be an attacking threat in that way, but it’s not something that bothers me.
“What matters is your attitude and your willingness to adapt. Wherever the coach decides to play me I try to do my best, to have an impact and contribute to the team.”
Do you think there is any secret behind the fact you seem to score so many goal in injury time?
“I think it’s down to concentration, to be fully focused even in the final minutes of the game. It’s clear that the right attitude and a never-say-die spirit are the key things to have whenever you are on the pitch. That’s always what I am trying to think about; not giving up and not resting on my laurels.
“So it’s about mindset, of course, but it’s also down to specific moments in matches. You have to have the right attitude just as much in the first minute as you do in the last. The important thing is to stay focused on what you need to do and to retain the same determination. And, of course, last-minute goals or assists have a good chance of being decisive, so it’s no bad thing if it’s a habit.”
You’ve retained that determination even if, for various reasons, you haven’t played as much recently.
“I think that needs to be the attitude of any player. Even those who don’t get as many chances. You have to try to focus on your targets and then also on helping the team and getting better. If you do that, then the rewards will come. But you have to always work hard, train well and make sure you improve.”
Imperium Partners
Centurion Partners
