Mile Svilar on upcoming Bologna clash

Here is what our goalkeeper had to say.

You had the best defence in Europe for a long time this season, but in the last four Serie A matches you conceded seven goals, precisely when your forwards started scoring more. I wanted to ask you if you think there’s a connection between these two developments or if this difference compared to the start of the season is a mere coincidence?

“I think it’s just a coincidence. We always hope we’ll score many goals and concede the fewest goals possible. In the past few weeks, it didn’t go our way, but we’ll do better in the future.”

What makes Bologna a dangerous opponent? Did you watch Tottenham’s game last night? Many goalkeepers, including David De Gea, wrote to Antonin Kinsky. Would you like to say something to him too?

“I sent him a message; these things happen. Goalkeepers’ mistakes are more apparent because they result in the other team scoring. It’s a shame, but he has to keep going. It happened to me, too, a few years ago. It takes some time to forget these things, but if you work hard you do; that’s football.

“Bologna are a good team and we’ll give it everything tomorrow.”

We got to know you on that magical night against Feyenoord and since then you’ve just kept growing at a rapid rate. Is there still something you feel you need to improve on, something you think about at the end of each game to motivate yourself to work hard?

“I am extremely motivated. Nobody needs to try to motivate me because I’m a very ambitious person. There’s always room for improvement. But every match is different. We review our games with the coach and there is always something we can improve. That’s the nice thing about this sport: you can improve throughout your entire career.”

The year Roma reached the Europa League finals you were still Rui Patricio's backup. Then you took his place and became a regular player up until the semi-finals against Bayer Leverkusen, the year Gasperini won the Europa League with Atalanta. Is there a special hunger to go and win this trophy among the players who were already in the squad in Budapest?

“Of course. Our goal is always to win. European nights are special and it should go without saying that we’ll do our best to advance to the next round, and then we’ll see what happens.”