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Veretout believes Roma can get back to winning ways

Andy Mattioli
I

After a last-minute call up from Didier Deschamps, Roma midfielder Jordan Veretout gave an interview to Corriere dello Sport all the way from France’s retreat. The player shared his thoughts on Roma’s disappointing recent string of results.

“It’s been period of decline. We had started well and perhaps too many labelled as a successful team. But the season is long. The goal does not change, the Champions League is 3 points away. It is up to us to get back to work.”

On Serie A’s evolution:

“It has become a very difficult league, with extremely good managers and many great players.”

“There are at least 8-9 teams that can aim for the Champions League. And the small ones can do well against the big ones. You saw what happened at Venezia.”

On Pioli’s successful run with Milan:

“He is a demanding coach, but he is also a great person. At Fiorentina we unfortunately experienced the loss of Astori and for Pioli it was fundamental to keep the group humanly united. We are linked for life.”

“As a coach, he already demonstrated his qualities and was able to regenerate Milan.”

On Inter:

“They are the reigning champions. Even without Conte they maintained their level with a coach like Inzaghi who did well for Lazio, replacing Lukaku with a great player like Dzeko.”

“Edin is a leader on and off the pitch. And then there is Napoli who play good football with Spalletti.”

On Roma’s tough stretch:

“We have shown that we are not inferior to anyone.”

“With Juve we lost due to an episode, we held off Napoli which had always won up to that point. With Milan we could have done more. But if we want to achieve our goals, we cannot afford to lose like we did against Venezia. We need to be smarter.”

On Mourinho at Roma:

“He is a winner, suitable for a great project like Friedkin’s Roma.”

“He is rigorous, he gives you the desire to give 200% for the team and to win. But it is up to us to find the spirit of the beginning of the season.”

“In Rome, then, there is a lot of passion, if you win you are at the top, if you lose it is a drama. We are aware of it. The fans are our strength, they proved it to us also in Venice. It is up to us to repay their support.”

On Mourinho’s criticism of refereeing and need for January reinforcements:

“It is not for me to comment on the referees. Roma is an ambitious project that cannot be built by snapping your fingers. It is normal that it takes time and that it takes reinforcements to always improve.”

On Zaniolo:

“Zaniolo has had two serious injuries, but he is important for the group, he transmits confidence on the pitch. He will soon be back to his old ways.”

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MatchDay 30
1 Apr 17:00
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