Aouar: “Topping the group tough but not impossible”

Here's what he had to say...

Are you going to start the game tomorrow? 

“I'm ready for tomorrow. I hope to play because I haven't played much recently. I know I need to do better to help the team and I hope to do that.”

It's the last group game and Roma need to finish on a high.

“We want to win. We always want to win – that's the aim when you play for Roma. We know it will be very difficult to finish top but it's not impossible. We must go out there with the right attitude and a winning mentality. And hopefully we'll be top come the end of the match.”

How do you think the first few months have gone at Roma? How close are you to being at your best?

“As I've said before, it's my first time away from home, away from Lyon. It's a bit difficult to settle into a new city and a new team. I've started 10 or 11 games and that's good for my first year but I know I still have things to learn. I started the season well but it's a little harder now. I didn't play well in Prague or Geneva. I realise that and I'm honest enough to say it. Now it's up to me to show the boss I can play more. I'm confident I can help the team.”

Do you think the Italian league is  more difficult than the French league? Does your future depend on how much you play?

“I see my future at Roma because I'm very happy to be here and proud to wear this shirt. As I said, it's my first time away from home and I've started 10 or 11 games, which is good for my first few months. I don't know the future but I'm very happy to be here at a big club, in a great team with great team-mates. The coach helps me a lot. I talk to him a lot. I know this is the right place for me.

“I also like it here because Rome is a beautiful city and the fans are amazing. I'm confident my future will be at Roma.

“Italian football is harder than French football. I still need to learn how to play here because it's different. The game is more intense in France, more physical. Here it's more tactical and technically it's better. I hope to become a good Serie A player.”

What's your relationship like with Jose Mourinho? What has he taught you and what have you found difficult to take on?

“The boss is very genuine. I talk to him a lot. As I said, he's helping me learn how to play with the team, in a different type of football. I like that a lot. I like his winning mentality as well – that's important to win games.

“I'm very happy and proud to play for him and I know I have some difficulties. I haven't played much lately but now I hope to perform well for him, for the team and for the fans.”

How do you find playing in a midfield three? Are you getting used to it?

“I'm a team player so it doesn't matter to me if I'm playing as a box-to-box midfielder or as a No.10.

“When I was at Lyon I played as a deep-lying playmaker too. The position doesn't matter to me; it's more important to play regularly. I know that whether I play further forward as a 10, in a box-to-box role or as playmaker, I can do good things to help the team and the coach.”