Marten de Roon said Roma's squad has a healthy atmosphere and that he is happy to play alongside so many young players, describing himself as the group's grandfather. Speaking to Sky Sport after the victory, the midfielder praised the team's calm and the big play by Santiago Castro that helped shape the win. "In the middle of many young players there was one who isn't exactly young, don't take it personally," he was asked, to which he replied: "I'm not offended, I was on the pitch with many young players tonight but I'm pleased to be at their level." He added: "Exactly, you have to joke around a bit."
De Roon admitted Roma played too much in their own half in the first half, which he put down to some tiredness and to a team with many young players on the pitch together for the first time. The team then pushed the ball behind the opposition defence, and once there was space, things became much easier. He also said he has always enjoyed playing every three days. "Gasp's training sessions are heavy, but playing once a week is less fun. If you play every three or four days and have a wide squad, it's more enjoyable." He said the hardest part is the injuries that have arrived recently, but added: "I have a great desire to keep playing."
Asked how strong Roma are, he said: "There is a lot of quality, a very healthy group and a very healthy environment, a lot of hard work, nobody who complains or puts himself above the group, everyone with their head down. Then there are those with more quality like Malen, Dybala and Soulé who produce the moments, and the rest of the group has to give consistency and deliver a great performance. We have double alternatives almost everywhere. Today you saw Lulli and Rensch, who played a great match, and in defence Balerdi. The squad is wide and strong, now we have to find consistency and not pick up too many injuries." On his move from Bergamo to a major city like Rome, he said: "It's different, of course. Here there are many millions of inhabitants and people live with passion. The stadium is beautiful, but on the pitch you do the same things. It changes little whether it's Bergamo or Rome, and I want to show that I am a great player and help the group. The first three matches have gone quite well."
In a separate interview with DAZN, De Roon said: "We were talking in the shower with lads from 2007, 2005... I'm from '91, the grandfather of the group." Asked what his secret is for feeling as if he has been at the club for years, he credited Gasperini: "I know his game so well, his movements and his style, that I can also focus on helping the other lads. Today there were many young players on the pitch, I know the game by heart and I can help them and talk to them. Someone with experience has to do that. The group has been fantastic and has taken me in straight away as one of them. I'm really happy to be here." On whether Roma are the real alternative to Inter for the Scudetto, he said: "I see a very strong Roma. Everyone talks about being anti-Inter or other things, but we are focused on ourselves." He pointed to the match against Como and today's win as signs the team is growing, and said that after a lacklustre first half, winning as a mature side gives great confidence. He acknowledged a brief dip in the Champions League, saying the team must learn from it, and concluded: "Today's victory was a very strong signal, we are on the right path and we want to keep going."
De Roon was also asked about criticism and banners from Atalanta supporters. "Honestly, I don't want to go back over the subject, over what happened. The banners upset me, but everyone is free to give their opinion. I don't feel I need to defend myself. I love Atalanta, I lived the best years of my life there. I'm now at Roma and a Roma player, so I'm focusing on that, but at heart I'm still an Atalanta supporter. Controversy is part of football, unfortunately."
