Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini sat alongside Paulo Fonseca during today’s press conference ahead of the Giallorossi’s Europa League clash against Istanbul Başakşehir. These are his words:
You’ve turned into a great assist-man. Would you prefer to score more?
I love creating goals for my teammates – me and Edin joke about that a lot. Assists are great but scoring goals is definitely a different feeling. Ideally I’d like to do both!
How do you feel physically?
I feel really good fitness-wise. I worked hard to get back in top shape. I’m happy with the 70 minutes I got through on Sunday – it was another good step. I’m keen to show what I can do this season.
Do you view this match as sort of a mini-final?
It’s an all-or-nothing game tomorrow and we’re determined to win. Reaching the knockout rounds is our first objective this season. Qualifying is a bit trickier now but we can’t worry about that – we know this game is key.
Have you and Zaniolo ever talked about staying at Roma for many years and becoming pillars of the club?
We haven’t done so personally, it’s a very particular sort of conversation. We’re two youngsters who try not to look ahead – or at least, that’s how I am. I try to focus on the present and what’s happening now. I have to give 100%. If I continue to do so, I think I also speak for Nicolo when I say that we would be honored. We’re at a big club where we can grow.