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How do you feel about having become such an important player for Roma and how did you manage to settle in so quickly?
“I'm very happy. I want to carry on like this and be a key player for Roma. I have to thank everyone, and especially the coach, for wanting me here. I try to do my best. I came here to help the team. I don't feel I'm like Cafu or a player who can completely change the team, but I can help the team.”
How is morale in the Roma camp after the two league defeats and the bad luck you've had with refereeing decisions?
“There's no way it was a foul [against Como]. Of course I knew I was already on a yellow and I didn't want to leave the team with ten men. If you look at the replay, you see me running next to [Assane] Diao. I put an arm on him because he was literally falling on top of me, then [Devyne] Rensch fouled him. When I got sent off, I kept saying that I hadn't committed a foul but I was told the footage showed there was a foul. It was a serious, decisive and unacceptable incident. It was 1-1 in a difficult match. It would have been very different 11 v 11.”
Where do you feel you've improved the most? What does Gian Piero asperini work on most with you?
“Italian football is different to Brazilian football but I always say that if I'm focused on the pitch it's harder for my opponent to beat me and it's easier for me to beat my opponent. The coach wants me to attack, not misplace too many passes and make the right decisions. I think I'm getting better but I still have room for improvement, especially in terms of consistently getting the balance right between defence and attack.”
You made your Roma debut in the league game at home to Bologna. How much do you think you've improved since then? In that game you played on the right, in the Europa League on the left. Where are you most comfortable?
“I have a wonderful memory of that match. I couldn't wait to get to know the fans and the stadium and of course I was thrilled to score the winner. I played on the right in that game but then the coach realised that perhaps I play better on the left. It's the same to me – I'll play wherever the boss puts me. I think I've improved my attitude and my tactical awareness. I've become more familiar with Italian football. I hope to keep on getting better, whether it's on the right or the left.”
How important is the Europa League to the players in the dressing room?
“It's a big objective for us. It was always my aim to play in Europe, in European competitions. I know that careers are made in competitions like this. In these matches you need 100% focus because it's make or break. We have to be totally ready. This is a huge match for us and everyone connected to the club.”
In the first leg you battled with Federico Bernardeschi. Is he one of the toughest opponents you've faced since you've been in Italy?
“He's a very good player with lots of qualities. It was a great battle but the way we defend it's the centre-back who comes out towards the wide opponent. I don't know if he's the best because we've faced lots of top players in that position – [Francisco] Conceicao is another one – but he's certainly a very dangerous player. We must be ready to deal with him.”
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