Lorenzo Pellegrini will speak at a press conference at Trigoria today at 13:30, alongside Gian Piero Gasperini, on the eve of Roma's match against Slovan Bratislava. The midfielder is expected to address Roma's recent reaction against Genoa, the club's European ambitions and the need for consistency in the Champions League. Giallorossi.net will cover his comments live.
Pellegrini has been out of action for a long time, and he said his return required time to rebuild his fitness. He said he could still raise his physical level, and that initially it had been harder because he was not yet at the level of his teammates. He added that he continues to work hard and is very happy with the group.
Asked about his contract, Pellegrini said: "I'm fine, I'm calm. Not having been on the pitch for a long time required a reintegration, giving me the right time. I can still raise my physical level. Initially it was harder, I wasn't at the level of my teammates. I keep working and I'm very happy. It's an exceptional group, we work well. During the week we go hard and on Sunday we do even better. The contract was a choice the club made and that I accepted."
On the pressure to win, he said: "It's always there, in every match we go in to win and to play well. It's a good pressure, and we're used to it. I've found a united, healthy group where everyone gets along and we work hard. There is a desire to improve globally, not just individually."
On the summer, he said: "It was calm, let's say serene (laughs). There was the need to get back and feel well as soon as possible. The thought was more about feeling good than anything else. It was serene because we always stayed in contact with the coach and the staff to try to continue together. For me it was important to feel well, otherwise I couldn't play anywhere else. My priority was to stay in Rome for what we built last year. I'm very happy."
On Gasperini's role in the renewal, Pellegrini said: "The coach was fundamental. Last year we started in a situation where separating seemed normal, as if the right moment had come to do it. For my part, with the coach we always found ourselves on the path I should take, despite having only one year of contract. I always gave my maximum availability to do good for the team. We didn't talk about things in detail. It was a moment when I wasn't well because of the injury, and the earlier conversation was not polemical. I heard from everyone this summer, and everyone showed me their closeness. Everyone wanted me to stay. It was all natural and simple. The most important thing is to get back to performing well and to be in this fantastic group. I hope to be at 100% as soon as possible to help the coach and Roma."
On the team's aims, he said: "We want to stay at the top. Last year we managed it, this year after a year already done with the coach it has been easier to blend together. We want to go out and win every match, continuing to work and improve as a group. We are a united and calm group."
Asked about his position, he said: "I play where the coach asks me, but it's normal that everyone has their own characteristics. I'll never be a full-back. I like playing with the ball at my feet, but the whole team puts you in a position to give 100%. Midfield or trequartista, the important thing is finding space to receive the ball and look forward, using the space you have."
Story Coverage2 sources on this story
Lorenzo Pellegrini has said his one-year contract was a decision made by the club, which he accepted, and that Gian Piero Gasperini has been fundamental to his situation. The midfielder spoke at a press conference on the eve of Roma's match against Slovan Bratislava, after a long spell out of action. Both outlets report that he said he feels good and calm, and that his return required time to rebuild his fitness.
Retesport says Pellegrini had been out for six months and that he can still raise his physical level. GialloRossi.net adds that it was harder at first because he was not yet at his teammates' level, and that he described the group as exceptional and united. Retesport puts his summer without a club at a month and a half and quotes him calling it serene, with constant contact with the coach and staff. Asked whether anyone had called him, he said yes, but that feeling well came first and his priority was staying in Rome.
Pellegrini described Gasperini's role as decisive, saying that last year parting ways had seemed almost normal before the two found the right path together. Retesport reports that they did not discuss contract details, and that he heard from the club, coach and teammates that they wanted him to stay. GialloRossi.net alone reports that he said he could play in midfield or as a trequartista, but would never be a full-back.
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