Interviews

Bryan Cristante discusses working with Mourinho, De Rossi’s legacy and more

Andy Mattioli
BOLOGNA, ITALY - MAY 14: Bryan Cristante of AS Roma during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on May 14, 2023 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante spoke about the club’s ambitions ahead of the upcoming season.

Cristante – fresh off a contract renewal until 2027 – discussed several topics in an interview with Il Messaggero, including working with Jose Mourinho and Daniele De Rossi’s legacy at the club.

“I still remember De Rossi’s words about me,” said Cristante, referring to De Rossi’s famous quote during his farewell media appearance, where the Roma legend stated that he wished to have “11 players like Cristante” in the team’s starting line-up. “He honored me, made me proud to play with him in this club, which he represented all the way until the end.”

“De Rossi was the emblem of passion, capable of sharing this passion with the younger members of the team including myself. Saying those words on the day of his farewell to Roma had a special meaning. And I will always thank him for it.”

“Am I being underrated? Perhaps on the outside that is the case, but within the dressing room I’ve always felt I was being treated fairly.”

“Mourinho? Sometimes it may happen that you have a disagreement with him. I usually don’t. What’s special about him is that he sees and knows everything before anybody else does.  He always knows what to do and how to behave. He is a great man.”

“We’re still angry from the defeat in Budapest and we want to use this anger to our advantage this season. We want to make progress in the cup competitions and earn the Champions League qualification.”

“Our main objective is to get back to the Champions League,” Cristante admitted.

“Last season we suffered in the final stretch of the campaign. In April we were third in the league and fighting for every competition, but injuries created countless problems for us. I would play as defender, the Primavera players were added to the starting eleven, we only had one striker. It wasn’t easy.”

“I will stay at Roma as long as the club will keep me here. I love it here. Now we must recharge our batteries and try to win something, with the Champions League qualification being our primary objective.”

Match Center

MatchDay 24
9 Feb 12:30
Venezia
VEN
Roma