FONSECA: "WE NEED TO THINK BIG"
Roma's coach Paulo Fonseca spokein his pre-match press conference ahead of the midweek away match against Udinese.
“We need to focus on the importance of winning every game. The past is the past: we just need to focus on our next game against Udinese. I feel a real sense of unity among the team, but we’ve won nothing yet. We need to think big and we need ambition, but we can’t start thinking we’ve done it all because that’s not true.”
Udinese are coming off the back of a heavy defeat to Atalanta. What kind of match are you expecting?
“I’ve not seen that game because it was different to their other matches. I know Udinese are a better team than that because before that game they’d only conceded six goals and had the best defensive record in the league. Physically they’re a strong side, they keep it compact in defence and are very good on the counter, with players that are quick and strong. I’m expecting a very difficult game."
Why did you decide to start Gianluca Mancini in midfield against AC Milan?
“Given our injury crisis I decided we needed an aggressive player in that position but also somebody with a good passing game. He’s the best centre-back we have in terms of building the play, so I decided he was the best solution at the time.”
Alessandro Florenzi is known as a complete player. What’s he going through at the moment?
“He’s our captain, he’s a great player and he always trains hard. In the last two games against AC Milan and Borussia [Monchengladbach] I decided on different options for the team – that’s all. He’s not played recently but he will certainly play in the future. There’s no problem. It’s just a question of options.”
Pastore has said that the team has been impressed with the coaching staff. What kind of work are you doing with the team?
“We need to be an ambitious team and against Sampdoria, for example, we weren’t. We need to change the mentality and always go out there to win. That needs to be the mindset for anyone who plays at this club. It’s important that the lads understand how necessary it is for them to fight, run and always aim to win. That’s the most important thing for me.”
On the Serie A TIM: “It's very difficult for everyone. All the teams have quality and even the last team can beat the first – it’s not easy to win games here. There are some teams that are better than others, but you always have to be at your best. Every game is different. We have to do a lot of work on strategy, because the opposition always have different systems. It’s not easy to win here.”
(Photo Getty Images)
