Roma defender Chris Smalling was asked to comment on the importance of his veteran status leading up to the Europa League final.
In an interview with UEFA, the English centreback declared, “Obviously the final is a much bigger opportunity than the games you played in the rest of your career but I think the preparation will be similar. You have to go into these games and have fun.”
“You’ve been working all year to go to the final and, to be honest, it’s just one more game. I’ll enjoy it to the fullest and if you enjoy it, the performance will also come. I think that’s how we should go out tomorrow night.”
“With age, responsibilities and your role in the field change in the sense that others have their eyes on you and in terms of my preparation, I tend to focus a lot on myself. In this way, if I do a good job in the field, I set a good example in the best possible way for the others to follow.”
