Baldanzi: “We need to push on and improve to stay top”

Tommaso Baldanzi started Roma’s hard-fought win away to Fiorentina.

The coach and the team clearly trust you. Do you feel like a key player at the moment?

“I do feel important, just like every player in the squad. There will be opportunities for everyone. Today’s match was a tough one to win, but we fought hard, as we always should, and we’re happy with this difficult victory.”

Congratulations on your performance. You seem to be improving in your defensive phase, just as Gian Piero Gasperini wants. How’s your progress under the new coach?

“Good. Gasperini asks me to contribute in both phases: to press, to defend. In a team with so many strong attacking players, you have to make sacrifices, and that’s normal in such a strong side. It’s great because we’re being rewarded for it. The table looks good for us now, but we have to push on and keep improving if we want to stay up there.”

You go into the break top of the table, so what are the team’s ambitions?

 “To be honest, we don’t talk about that much. The table doesn’t mean much yet as it’s still early in the season. What matters is being up there at the end. Of course, it’s great to have started well, but the real challenge is staying there.”