Roma striker Edin Dzeko was interviewed by Rai Sport while on national team duty with Bosnian, who will face Italy in the Euro 2020 qualifiers. Here’s what the Giallorossi #9 had to say:
You‘re a symbol not only for Bosnia, but also Roma.
Certainly – I am one of the oldest, but also the captain: I want to set an example to the youngsters who are coming up and give them even more of a desire to play. I’ll play another two or three years perhaps, so it must be the others who score in the future. I’m always happy to play and score, we hope to have a good game today.
Mancini is on Italy’s bench: is it true you requested to him that you wanted to play more while at City?
Yes it’s true, we know each other very well, we have a good relationship. He wanted me at Manchester City and he took me there. I am very grateful to him, and I think that like every other player, I always wanted to play. It was a very strong team so it’s normal that I couldn’t always play. Obviously I hope to beat him tonight.
Mancini said he sees Zaniolo as more of a central midfielder.
At Roma, he does well playing advanced on the wing, but he can play as a mezz’ala. I honestly don’t know what his best position is, but lately he has been scoring many goals so his position could be there, too.
How is Florenzi?
Ale is fine, he is our captain. It’s not easy for him either. He is a strong player who wants to play, but in the end, we all have to respect the coach’s decisions. He is a strong player and will surely return and start playing.
Has Fonseca motivated you?
I still have a couple of years left playing at a high level, I want to give everything. The manager gave us a hand, he is a very strong coach and a nice guy. We talked a lot at the beginning. My job is to play and score, I’m a professional and I have to do this.
