Diego Perotti: “Playing for Roma was a gift for me.” | OneFootball

Former Roma attacker Diego Perotti spoke to the capital club ahead of their match against Fiorentina.

The Argentine reflected on Gasperini’s impact during his playing days at Genoa which were followed by his move to the Italian capital.

“I always say it, Gasperini revitalized me, he gave me confidence during a period when I wasn’t playing much and was recovering from several injuries.”

“With his training, practically rebuilding me physically, bringing a lot more intensity, he gave me the chance to relaunch myself in a big way, to have great seasons with Genoa, to deserve a place at Roma, and even to return to the Argentina national team.”

“I owe him a lot. Pellegrini can do the same because his technical qualities are beyond question. By improving his physical condition, he could have a great season.”

“Roma are doing well, they’ve won games, and they’re currently top of the table. They’ve shown some very interesting moments. But it’s normal to have lapses; it takes time to build a solid team with a proven game. A two-three-month summer preparation isn’t enough to achieve the finished product. The team lost their last Europa League match against Lille, but these are moments that can happen.”

“What Roma meant to me? When you arrive at a new club, you always try to do your best and hope to win over their fans. But Rome is different from all the others I’ve been to. The team gets to you, the city is wonderful. My children are Roma fans, one even plays in the youth academy at Trigoria, we’re all huge fans. We moved here permanently to live with my family. And we’re happy.”

“For me, for my family, Roma was a gift,” he concluded.