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Here’s what our boss had to say.
It was at this very ground, eight months ago, that Donyell Malen scored on his debut, and it was here too that we discovered the great chemistry that he’s got with Paulo Dybala. Eight months on from that occasion, how are you feeling, and how much satisfaction do you take from how these two lads have developed?
“The feeling of satisfaction applies to the whole team. It’s a lovely thing for the fans and for football lovers to see two top players who manage to conjure up dangerous goalscoring opportunities in practically every match. It’s clear that they’re two players who, beyond their individual talent, complement each other perfectly. They’re able to link up effectively and manage to convert their good work into goals on a regular basis.”
In taking Malen off were you thinking about making sure your squad can stay in shape throughout the season, as you’re aware that each player will need to chip in?
“We need to hone these players as much as possible. For one thing, this was our third match in eight days. I’ve said it many times: forwards usually play the full 90 minutes, but they’re not always fit enough to repeat a top performance in every game. If they’re able to save 20 or 30 minutes of exertion here and there then they’ll be able to deal with playing multiple matches in a single week. We also need to develop players who can go on to become key figures. They need to take inspiration from the likes of Malen and Dybala, not just regarding technique, but also in terms of temperament, drive determination, as well as their knack of stepping up and making the difference. If we can achieve that then the team as a whole becomes stronger.”
If we look back a year from today, when we were beaten by today’s opponents, it feels like aeons have passed. Today, we have arguably 18 players capable of seamlessly slotting into your starting eleven, who can also change our shape and the way we approach a match. What are your thoughts on this?
“I fully agree. The other teams we’ve faced - Torino included – have also made significant changes that have raised the level of their performances at certain points. We did a great job in the first 45 minutes, even if we could’ve been a bit more polished in the final third. Then there’s the matter of who you’re up against – you’ve got to respect them. They’re capable of having their say and have dangerous and fresh players who are ready to come into the fray. We had to rely on sheer grit at times, and in such circumstances our football was arguably less easy on the eye, but we remained effective and solid defensively. We even managed to double our lead right at the end. Like I said, I totally see where you’re coming from.”
Who does Leonardo Balerdi remind you of from your own playing career?
“A top defender – a really fantastic one.”
Go on, give us a name.
“As for the first one that comes to mind… Well, he’s a modern defender who’s physically strong and fast. I can't compare him to [Franco] Baresi. Baresi was the absolute pinnacle of centre backs. I can’t make that direct comparison, although in terms of how he goes about the duties of the position, his aggression, his recovery speed and his involvement in the play… Baresi was the undisputed number one, he was untouchable. So, in terms of characteristics, the comparison holds up.”
How much anticipation is there in the camp ahead of the Inter match?
“We’ve got a few days to prepare. There’s a stark contrast between now and last season: we took a heavy beating in the second meeting of the campaign, but that was the moment the real Roma came to the fore. Since then we’ve been going from strength to strength, and not just in results, but in terms of our attitude, behaviour and mentality. However, the first match was a tighter affair - we conceded an early goal but arguably deserved a bit more from the encounter. Inter are the benchmark team in our league – they’re top-class and are rightly considered the best in the business in this country. Having said that, I reckon Como come a close second. It’s also an opportunity for us to test ourselves and improve upon our recent performances.”
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