Roma midfielder Marten de Roon has spoken ahead of tomorrow's fourth matchday League Phase Champions League fixture at Manchester United, which kicks off at 21:00 at Old Trafford. He appeared alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at the pre-match press conference on the eve of the game.
Asked why others struggle to replicate what Gasperini has achieved, De Roon said: "The mister is unique, his way of training us tactically is above everyone else. I hold him in huge regard, it is fast football, to score lots of goals and play with tremendous intensity, and this has always made his teams very strong."
De Roon said he is feeling good. "Since I arrived I needed to regain rhythm and physical condition, and we sorted that out during the break. The staff and the group welcomed me very warmly, I knew I could still contribute and I am happy with how things are going." Asked whether Atalanta gave up on him too soon, he gave a measured response focused on his present situation at Roma.
On whether Roma can follow the path Atalanta took, De Roon replied: "I hope it is shorter, otherwise I won't be playing any more (laughs)." He added: "At Atalanta we had a fantastic journey, it seemed like all that mattered was winning trophies. Roma are playing well, a first year in the Champions League makes you play matches of a high level. We want to give continuity to our performances, as in a magical stadium like the one we'll play in tomorrow."
On whether the squad has the personality to dominate everywhere, De Roon said: "We were not mature enough against Real, but we are growing. The way we approach teams and play brings spectacle; we always try to score and not shut ourselves in. It is important, however, that we are aware as a team that we must defend better at certain moments. But we are growing."
Asked whether he is on the way to winning over the Roma fans, he said: "I am on the right path, performances are always what count. But it pleased me to be applauded when I came off against Cagliari. Facts always show what you are worth."
De Roon also recalled his time at Middlesbrough, when he faced United. "I don't remember that match very well. They were one of the strongest Manchesters of all time, great respect for them, in a fantastic stadium. They are a strong side but we want to get a great result."
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Roma face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday in matchday four of the Champions League League Phase, with kickoff at 21:00. Forza Roma reports that the team travelled to Manchester in the afternoon after morning training in Udine. Marten de Roon appeared alongside head coach Gian Piero Gasperini at the pre-match press conference, which Forza Roma says was scheduled for 17:20 local time, or 18:20 in Italy, with eve-of-match training following at 18:00 English time.
De Roon was effusive about Gasperini, calling him "unique" and saying his tactical training is "above everyone else's." He described the style as fast football built on scoring many goals and high intensity. De Roon said he had needed to regain his rhythm and physical condition, which was addressed during the break, and that he feels good at the club. Asked whether Roma can follow Atalanta's path under Gasperini, he said he hoped the wait would be shorter, "otherwise I won't be playing any more." Forza Roma adds that he gave a measured answer when asked whether Atalanta gave up on him too soon, a question Roma News does not mention.
On the Real Madrid defeat, De Roon said the team "were not mature enough" but is growing, and he acknowledged that Roma must defend better at certain moments. He said he was pleased to be applauded when he came off against Cagliari, adding, "Facts always show what you are worth." Recalling his time at Middlesbrough, he said he did not remember the previous meeting with United well, describing them as one of the strongest Manchester sides of all time.
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