GARCIA: "THREE POINTS ARE OUR AIM, NOT HOLDING ONTO TOP SPOT"
Rudi Garcia is adamant that being top of the league won't change Roma's approach to games. Garcia said: "We're not just going to try and hold onto first place; we'll carry on attacking our opponents and going for the three points."
Udinese come into this game unbeaten in their last four. What difficulties does the match pose for you?
“I always say the next game is the most important and that's even truer on this occasion. Anyone who knows anything about football knows that Udinese are a very good, quality side. We're not looking at the standings but I know there will be questions about us being top. We don't just want to defend our position; we'll go on the attack to get the three points. We want to win one game at a time - that's what our minds are focused on.”
What do you want to say to people who have Roma down as favorites for the Scudetto?
“It doesn't bother me either way. We haven't become favorites just because we're first now. If we're where we are it's because the guys have deserved it by picking up good results. We could have done better but all we can do now is look forward. We must tell ourselves that the Udinese game is the most important one of the season. I hope the guys have understood that. I'll find out tomorrow after the match.”
Do you think you might have to choose between Serie A TIM and the Champions League?
"No, never. I want to win every competition we're involved in. Our bread and butter is Serie A but we want to go through in Europe too. We play to win every match.”
Could your players' willingness to work hard for each other make the difference this year?
“You don't finish second twice in a row unless you're all prepared to work your socks off for each other. I like the team spirit we have here and I've always said that the star must be the team itself. Everyone plays for the team and the team must help bring out the best in the individuals.”
What's more important when you prepare for a game like Fiorentina, the mental or the tactical side?
“You need to make sure that everything is clear to them from a tactical point of view and then you need them to put in the effort on the pitch. Džeko played superbly against Fiorentina – he put in a fantastic shift for the team. Now the team will work for him. You need to be able to play different ways and we showed that in Florence.”
Will Roma always play the way you did in Florence against teams who like to play a possession game? And did you expect to reach the top of Serie A TIM in such a short space of time after Borisov?
"It just proves you should never think it's all doom and gloom when things aren't going quite so well. I like having a winning Roma team. We like to be in control of the match but then you always have to base your own game on the opponents you're playing."
Manolas has played every game so far. Will he be rested against Udinese?
"Totti and Keita are recovering but I'm not sure when they'll be available again – probably after the international break. We'll be without De Rossi tomorrow and we'll have to change our playing system or find a playmaker. As for Manolas, I think he looks good at the moment. Fortunately for us he was injured before the international break so he was able to get himself into shape. I'll take everything into consideration but for now he's fine."
(Photo LaPresse)
