Gianluca Mancini ‘optimistic’ ahead of Inter showdown: “We’ll show what we’re made of.” | OneFootball

Roma defender Gianluca Mancini gave a lengthy interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he discussed the highly anticipated match-up with Inter.

“We’ve earned our victories so far. And I know the coach, his qualities and character traits. Compared to Atalanta, he’s grown in international experience, but his passion is still very high.”

“In some games, we may have had a bit of luck, but we haven’t stolen anything from anyone. There’s always a reason why things go well or badly.”

“We have to improve in many areas; it’s our journey. You don’t build a great team in two months, you don’t have great championships. But the feeling is positive. There will be difficult moments, but this is a solid, united group that will be able to persevere.”

“Champions League? Getting there is our goal. A club like Roma, with this kind of support, has to make the Champions League. We’ve come close in the last two years; in the Europa League we’ve reached a final and a semi-final; we’re well on our way. I miss it, but I’m taking it calmly, focused on the present.”

“Our defenders are strong, even young ones like Ghilardi and Ziolkowski. And then we have an absolute certainty in Svilar. But the point is more general, the whole team plays well in defense: from Dovbyk, Ferguson, Soulé, and Dybala. So it’s difficult to score against us, we’re compact.”

“My attitude change? I used to think about so many things that were draining me of energy. Ranieri was crucial in making me think, telling me he hated me as an opponent. But De Rossi also made me realize that I was losing my composure. They helped me, I thought about it, and it got into my head. I’m still a pain in the ass, competitive, but now I manage the things that can drain me of energy better.”

“Roma-Inter? It’s a tough challenge, even though there are no easy matches in today’s football. Inter are the strongest team in the league along with Napoli, although the Nerazzurri are perhaps slightly superior, also considering what they’ve done in Europe in recent years. But we’ll be ready; it’s a match that will show us what we’re made of.”

“The biggest regret? Budapest, where everything happened to me: the assist for Dybala’s goal, the own goal that always rolls around in my head, and the missed penalty, the first one I’d ever taken. I often woke up afterward dreaming of retaking the penalty. That final remains a stab in my stomach.”