Mancini discusses challenges in must-win Porto match | OneFootball

Roma defender Gianluca Mancini joined Claudio Ranieri in today’s media duties ahead of the return leg of the Europa League playoffs with Porto.

The Italian centreback discussed the match and Ranieri’s impact since his arrival in November.

“I am fully available for tomorrow,” declared Mancini.

“I see my teammates in good spirits, I see them calm. They train one hundred percent. When they are on the pitch I see them give their all in any role, in any position. As I have said many times, this year it is truly a family unit, a real family. Because we have been through terrible times and this group has never broken up.”

“I who have been here for many years, it has been a long time since I saw a group like this and it makes me proud.”

“Here in Rome I have repeated many times that I am fine, I love this city, this club, this place. I see that the fans appreciate me and this fills me with pride and makes me always give something more on the pitch. I live in the present, but I don’t like to think too much about the future. But if I were to think I have no problem saying that I am very well here.”

“Tomorrow is an important match, we know, but in recent years Roma has played many of these matches and every year we said the same thing, because it is a game in and out.”

“What I can improve in? I’m 28 and I still have a thousand more lessons to learn. What I’m trying to improve is in everything a defender can do, in reading the opponent, in the speed, in thinking ahead. A footballer never stops learning. In my opinion even Francesco Totti was learning at 41, Maldini, all these people here who are super champions, I don’t put myself at their level, they have learned and I try to do it with the coach, with his staff and every day when I come here to Trigoria.”

“Ranieri’s impact? As I have said many times, when the coach opened the door to the locker room, the whole team wasn’t there because it was a break for the national teams. I was one of the only ones there and I immediately felt lighter, as if my body had relaxed because the coach brings this thing with him, he didn’t need any introductions.”

“I think each of us grew up with the coach who trained champions, great teams. On the pitch he put us back in our place, he put each of us back to doing our own things, he worked on the concept of team, to stay united, to help each other, tactical instructions. He has many things in his baggage, with all his experience.”

“He brought back the smile that was missing because in the last weeks before his arrival it was no longer there. Those who do this sport have a job, but first of all there must be a smile, the happiness of coming to the training pitch all week to learn, to grow and on Sunday go out on the pitch differently. The coach brought all this to us and the results are now being seen. We haven’t done anything yet, but we have shown something.”