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Roma defender Gianluca Mancini has given a long interview to Gazzetta dello Sport on the eve of tomorrow night’s match against Inter at 8:45 PM.

Read Mancini’s interview here

Mancini’s Words

LAUTARO MARTINEZ
“He is a champion, one of the best strikers in the world. We have been facing each other for years, it’s a good battle, but always with fair play, we have often exchanged jerseys. It will require maximum attention, you must never drop your mental intensity. With him, one mistake is enough to lose the game.”

THE SITUATION IN THE LEAGUE
“We have earned and conquered our victories. And then I know the coach, his qualities and character. Compared to Atalanta, he has grown in international experience, but the passion is always very high. In some matches, maybe we had a bit of luck, but we didn’t steal anything from anyone. There is always a reason why things go well or badly. In two months, you don’t build a great team, you don’t have great championships. But the feelings are positive. There will be difficult moments, but this is a solid, united group that will hold firm.”

CREDIT TO RANIERI AND DE ROSSI
“Before, I used to think about many things that drained my energy. Ranieri was fundamental, he made me think, he told me that he hated me as an opponent. But De Rossi also made me understand that I was losing clarity. They helped me, I thought about it and it sank in. Then I’m still a troublemaker, competitive, but now I manage better the things that can drain my energy.”

DANIELE DE ROSSI BIDS FAREWELL TO ROMA FANS (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

YOUNG PLAYERS? IF THEY MAKE A MISTAKE, THEY’RE SLAUGHTERED
“Abroad, young players have less environmental and media responsibilities. They need to be given the chance to make mistakes, here instead they praise you after a goal and slaughter you if you fail. An adult understands the game, a young player can suffer from it. Pio is a humble guy, a hard worker. He seems like a young old man.”

AM I THE LEADER OF THE DRESSING ROOM?
“I have never heard anything about the veterans of Milan, Juve, or Inter… This hurts a bit because it’s not the truth. The dressing room is managed by the coach, the sports director, and the president, we are the players. At most, when someone new arrives, we can make them understand what Roma is, where they have arrived. But this doesn’t mean commanding a dressing room.

I am happy here, there is mutual love with the fans in the city. I would stay willingly, but I don’t want to think about it now. I focus on the present, on improving myself. And on never stopping learning.”

WITH GATTUSO SERENITY, WITH SPALLETTI…
“With Gattuso, there was immediately the feeling that nothing could go wrong, but also a great desire to be together, with serenity. Spalletti, as he himself said, tried to make us understand what he wanted, with many concepts. But the group has always been healthy. Any problems with Spalletti? None, never a disagreement. A player can be liked by one coach and less by another. When I am called, I run, if I stay at home, I cheer. It bothered me, I wasn’t happy, but I always respected the decisions. The coach made other choices.”