Ghilardi on Roma's defensive record, international recall and enjoying one-on-one duels

Gian Piero Gasperini and Massimiliano Allegri shared a light-hearted exchange on Sky Sport after both sides won their Champions League matches, setting up Napoli against Roma. Roma beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0, while Napoli beat Bodø/Glimt 4-3. The fixture is at the Maradona on Saturday. The pair's on-air banter was a playful preview of the weekend's clash. Gasperini opened by telling Allegri, "Ciao Max, arrivo arrivo. Ci vediamo sabato" ("Hi Max, I'm coming, I'm coming. See you Saturday"). Allegri replied that both teams had won and were arriving in good spirits, adding: "Non avevate nemmeno bisogno, noi un po' di più di voi" ("You didn't even need to, we needed it a bit more than you"). Gasperini had the final word, laughing as he said: "Adesso basta però, non esageriamo" ("That's enough now, let's not overdo it"). The exchange was a lighthearted moment as both coaches looked ahead to Saturday's Serie A encounter at the Maradona, with Roma arriving on a strong European result.

Niccolò Pisilli has described his time as captain as a great honour, saying every minute he played wearing the armband was an honour, with many players absent and the responsibility falling to him. Pisilli is a Roma academy product who has been at the club since the youth ranks, and he is now leading the side. Asked what has changed for him and the team, Pisilli said: "We are growing a lot. Last year we had to absorb the concepts well. This year we start with one more year behind us and we know what is asked of us. I put myself at the disposal of the team and the coach. When there is defending to do I defend, and when there is attacking to do I attack." Florenzi put it to him that he carries on the tradition of Roman and Roma captains, and offered him his compliments. Pisilli replied: "Thank you very much."

Roma defender Ghilardi has spoken to Sky Sport after a performance that he says showed he is ready to play for Roma, and he hopes to build on it with more consistent minutes. Ghilardi played only a small amount this season but was among the best players whenever he appeared. Against Real Madrid he set up the assist that unlocked the game, and he also had a goal ruled out for an offside by Castro, which denied him a first European goal. Roma have conceded fewer goals than any side in Europe's top five leagues. Ghilardi said: "It is a source of satisfaction for us defenders and for the whole defensive unit, but also for the whole defensive phase, which is not only the defenders but the whole team. It is something we seek, not conceding goals is very important and we are happy that it is going this way. We will try to continue." Asked about his current form, he said: "There are many giants, both in the national team and at Roma. Being called up to the national team was a satisfaction. I was not able to play, but already being called up was very important for me. I hope to return there as soon as possible." On playing one-on-one and in open space against quick opponents, such as the two wingers he faced today, he said: "I like playing this way a lot. These are challenges I enjoy. I like playing in open space and one-on-one. It amuses me a lot." Asked why he did not play for the whole first half of last season, he explained: "It was a schooling period. I had to learn a new method of football. At Verona we did not play like this, and here the level was higher too. It is a different intensity. The first months were about settling in, then I was fortunate to play with more continuity. I hope to have that this season too." Roma have taken four points from nine available so far. Ghilardi said: "Tight, I don't know. Away from home we drew on a difficult pitch, today we won and against Real Madrid the performance was there. We will try to get points and place ourselves in the best position possible." On the Napoli fixture, he said: "We approach every match the same way, whether it is Genoa, Napoli, Real or Bratislava. We try to win, give our best and hope to keep it going." On his Champions League debut, he said: "I am very happy. I was nervous at the start but then I relaxed. I am happy with the assist that unlocked the game, and we hope to continue like this." Asked whether it was his best game since joining Roma, he replied: "I don't know, maybe that is for you to say." On what he is working on most this season, he said: "Everything, heading, duels and one-on-one. We can improve in all aspects and I hope it shows on the pitch."

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi said his Champions League debut was a huge emotional moment and that the squad also wants to win against Napoli. Ghilardi said: "Tanta emozione per l'esordio in Champions. Vogliamo vincere anche col Napoli", which translates as: "A lot of emotion for the Champions League debut. We want to win against Napoli too." The comments follow Roma's 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava, which the Italian coverage rated in player ratings that picked out Ghilardi and Hermoso, with Malen also singled out. Roma's Champions League campaign has begun with that result, and the club now turns its attention to Napoli. Elsewhere in the club's news, Gian Piero Gasperini said of team selection: "Chi gioca deve essere all'altezza della Roma. Spero di riavere presto Dybala, davanti siamo pochi", meaning those who play must be up to the standard of Roma, and he hopes to have Dybala back soon as the attack is thin. Lorenzo Pellegrini has a muscle injury, and Gasperini said: "Nulla di grave, ma rischia di stare out 20 giorni", meaning it is nothing serious but he could be out for 20 days. Niccolò Pisilli said wearing the Roma captain's armband is an honour and that he has grown a lot under Gasperini.

Roma defender Ghilardi has spoken to Sky Sport after a performance that he says showed he is ready to play for Roma, and he hopes to build on it with more consistent minutes. Ghilardi played only a small amount this season but was among the best players whenever he appeared. Against Real Madrid he set up the assist that unlocked the game, and he also had a goal ruled out for an offside by Castro, which denied him a first European goal. Roma have conceded fewer goals than any side in Europe's top five leagues. Ghilardi said: "It is a source of satisfaction for us defenders and for the whole defensive unit, but also for the whole defensive phase, which is not only the defenders but the whole team. It is something we seek, not conceding goals is very important and we are happy that it is going this way. We will try to continue." Asked about his current form, he said: "There are many giants, both in the national team and at Roma. Being called up to the national team was a satisfaction. I was not able to play, but already being called up was very important for me. I hope to return there as soon as possible." On playing one-on-one and in open space against quick opponents, such as the two wingers he faced today, he said: "I like playing this way a lot. These are challenges I enjoy. I like playing in open space and one-on-one. It amuses me a lot." Asked why he did not play for the whole first half of last season, he explained: "It was a schooling period. I had to learn a new method of football. At Verona we did not play like this, and here the level was higher too. It is a different intensity. The first months were about settling in, then I was fortunate to play with more continuity. I hope to have that this season too." Roma have taken four points from nine available so far. Ghilardi said: "Tight, I don't know. Away from home we drew on a difficult pitch, today we won and against Real Madrid the performance was there. We will try to get points and place ourselves in the best position possible." On the Napoli fixture, he said: "We approach every match the same way, whether it is Genoa, Napoli, Real or Bratislava. We try to win, give our best and hope to keep it going." On his Champions League debut, he said: "I am very happy. I was nervous at the start but then I relaxed. I am happy with the assist that unlocked the game, and we hope to continue like this." Asked whether it was his best game since joining Roma, he replied: "I don't know, maybe that is for you to say." On what he is working on most this season, he said: "Everything, heading, duels and one-on-one. We can improve in all aspects and I hope it shows on the pitch."

Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi has said the club's solid defensive record belongs to the whole team, not just the back line, as Roma prepare for their Champions League third-matchday fixture against Slovan Bratislava. Roma are the least-beaten defence in Europe's top league, and have conceded no goals in their two matches since the Real Madrid game. Ghilardi said: "Yes, it is a source of pride for all of us in the defensive unit, but also for the whole team, because the defensive phase is not made only by the defenders but by everyone. Not conceding a goal is a very important thing. We are happy that it is going this way and we want to continue." Asked about his experience under Gasperini, Ghilardi said: "There are many giants with me, both at Roma and in the national team. The call-up to the Azzurri was a source of pride, even though I was not able to play. I hope to return there as soon as possible." On playing man-to-man across the pitch, he said: "I really like playing this way, even against fast players like the ones I faced today. These are challenges I enjoy. I like playing man-to-man all over the pitch, it is a good duel. Honestly, I enjoy it a lot."