Ndicka speaks ahead of Lille game

Here’s what our defender had to say:

How are you doing? Have you recovered from the Verona game?

"(Evan responds to the question fielded to Gasperini about Lille's qualities, ed.) I watch a bit of the French league. I know Lille - they're a top team and they’re pacy and strong in attack. I’m feeling good – I’m involved in training and I think that I'll be ready for Thursday."

What's changed for you with Gasperini's style of play? Do you want to stay at Roma for the long-term?

"I'm happy in Rome, and I think every player is happy when they play. As I always say, defending is defending. I like the fact that I’m getting forward more than I was in the past. I’m here to develop as a player. I feel positive."

What are you working on to raise your standards?

"I don't always play well – there’s a lot you miss from my game. I’m working hard off the pitch – I go to the gym and don't leave the house much. There are no secrets, there's nothing special."

You've always played centre-left in a back three, but under Ivan Juric you were deployed right in the centre. Is that a position you’ve also worked on with Gasperini?

"I feel good wherever the coach chooses to play me. Every now and then in training we change positions – that’s normal. But I feel good where I’m playing now. When I’m on the left I end up running more, but there's not a big difference."

Since you’ve won this competition, I’d like to ask if you feel that Roma has got what it takes to go all the way, in terms of the team’s chemistry.

"It's a bit early to talk about it. Let's see what happens against Lille. We're doing well - we beat Nice. Tomorrow will be a tough one – we’re all aware of that. We'll take things one game at a time."

What about Olivier Giroud?

"We don't have a special plan for him. We know all about Giroud. We know he's always dangerous in the penalty area. It'll be a great battle."

What are the keys to Roma defending successfully?

"I said it after the Nice match - we have attackers who defend well. This helps us in midfield and defence as well. What’s more, we’ve got an excellent goalkeeper. We're off to a good start, but it's certainly not enough."