AS Roma, Kevin Strootman praises Totti and Spalletti
What were your feelings the day before the game?
“It was a long day. The night before the match I couldn’t sleep very well. I was thinking about many things and that I was not playing since very long time. I was nervous, also on the pitch, but I wanted to win the game.”
Did you expect a hard challenges?
“No but during my first weeks of training this season, my teammates had never done hard challenges, but I asked them do play like in a real game because I had to get used to.”
Any thoughts on yesterday’s game?
“We created lot of goal chances in the first half and even when we were 2-1 down, we did not give up playing. After the equalizer we wanted to score the winner. It was a great game for both us and our fans. We managed to win and this was very important.”
How are you going to prepare for the next games?
“Our aim is to win the next two games. Against Chievo it will nothing easy because all teams want to win now. We have to get the three points and wait for the Napoli game.”
Team seems more self-confident with you on the pitch...
“Many people are telling me so, but I want to win like all my teammates. Maybe I do something more to win. Other let their feel do the talking. I communicate in another way. I do what I have to and I always want to win.”
Plans for next season?
“I want to work with the team all the season long and be ready from the very first day, but now we have to focus on the last three games.”
Would you sign on the dotted line to be as fit as Totti at 40?
“He’s just amazing. He was very important for us in the last games, he’s our captain. He enters the pitch and changes the game. It is a pleasure to play with him.”
What about Spalletti and fans?
“Spalletti has changed a lot of stuff here and he did the right things. Fans are incredible. A player that does not play for more than two years is not very loved in other clubs, but here they’ve always supported me and I want to give them soothing in return. I want to thank everyone, but on the pitch and not talking.”
Lorenzo Bettoni @lorebetto
