Calafiori: “Roma? One day I’ll come back.” | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori dreams of a “double.”

After winning the Premier League with Arsenal, the former Roma defender dreams of lifting the Champions League trophy against Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Saturday the 30th at 6:00 PM.

Interviewed by Il Corriere dello Sport, the 2002-born defender spoke about the Gunners’ triumph: “Winning the Premier League was one of my dreams. Given how the season went, it was incredible. In some ways, winning it this way was better.”

“The best moment? The final whistle of Bournemouth-City: we were all together, jinxing it (laughs) and we exploded with joy. It felt like a weight was lifted for many, after twenty-two years without winning the title.”

On Arteta’s confidence and the upcoming Champions League final: “I didn’t expect it at the start of the season, but once you get the hang of it, everything becomes easier. I’ve been thinking a lot about the PSG match lately. My best friend and I often play it on the PlayStation, and this time he’ll be coming to Budapest too. His name is Nicolò Cesaroni, and I hope it’ll be exciting. I’m taking it very calmly at the moment, but the real test will be getting on the plane. These are opportunities that can only come along once in a lifetime, so you have to make the most of them. We’re preparing for it like we do for other matches: I can’t say if we’re trying to do something special. We’re not afraid; it’s a one-off match; anything can happen. And besides, they won it last year, so maybe they’re less eager now.”

On the similarities between Roma and Arsenal: “I don’t know if Roma can become the new Arsenal, but I’m very happy that they’ve placed so much faith in Gasperini. I’m always a fan of them. I hope they can return to the level I was used to when I was a kid. I’m very happy with what Roma has achieved. I’ve spoken to Mancini, Cristante, and Pellegrini. Some even wrote to me about my birthday, so we’ve all connected a bit. I’ve already told my friends: see you at the Olimpico in September. I’ve already played there with Bologna, but I think hearing the roar, the cry of “The Champions League” after so many years of absence, will be an incredible feeling.”

On the gap between the Premier League and Serie A: “There’s a difference and it’s noticeable. When I arrived, I was shocked and said to myself, ‘What did I come here for? I’ll never play.’ The real difference I see is in how the week unfolds: with sixty games a year, training is more focused on recovery, to get you to the match in the best possible shape. And that’s the main difference in mentality.” On Gattuso’s choice to coach Lazio: “Obviously, I’m a little disappointed about where he went to coach (laughs).”

Finally, on the Italian disaster: “It was a very difficult time to deal with. Playing a lot with Arsenal helped me, but yes, I don’t think I’ll watch any matches. It would be too painful. The way it started gave me hope, but then there were the incidents… But there’s not much to say; it’s a match you just had to win. I hope it can somehow benefit everyone and that we can start again soon in a different way. I can’t give a precise analysis, though: it’s the only match I’ve never watched again.”