The following are comments from the AS Roma center-back: “In the locker room, we have great champions and great men. The fans account for 70% of Roma’s victories.”

Gianluca Mancini spoke to Sky microphones after the disappointing draw against Union Saint Gilloise. These were his exact words:

“Have you lost the will to play and be together?” “No, we haven’t lost the desire not to play football. We are professionals and we go on the field trying to do everything that the coach asks of us.” Certainly, the results matter a great deal, they are that dose that makes your week and your moments more worthwhile. We are coming off a defeat in Verona and today a draw, so it’s natural to feel upset and disappointed. However, one must not be disheartened or look for excuses. “We have to do something more because what we are doing is not enough. We won’t give up and we aim to bring home the points which at this moment are the most important thing.” “What would you tell the Friedkins to explain what’s going on?” – “We are here, as you say, ‘of the old guard’… “However, I am paid to be a footballer and I try to do it to the best of my ability, constantly striving to perform at my peak.” The president is making his decisions, we aim to be fully focused on the field. The issues related to the organization do not concern me. “When it was asked of me, as you all know, we gave our opinion but only because it was requested of us. We footballers simply stick to the field during the week and during the matches.” “It’s the moment for some leader to take responsibility, whether positive or negative, going head to head with the presidency.” “In this locker room, there are countless great footballers, great champions and above all men because I live it.” “I spend more time with my colleagues than my own family, and in their gazes, as they are, as they behave during the week, they are all leaders in my eyes. I don’t hide it, sometimes I may feel a bit low and it’s my colleagues who lift my spirits, and vice versa.” “We strive for as much unity and cohesion as possible because we know that these are indeed melancholy times. The results are not forthcoming, but for me this group should not be tampered with because they are doing their utmost, though it seems not to be enough.” “You need to regain some peace of mind, perhaps it also helps to slow down in moments of difficulty. Like today, after your goal.” “You must serve as a beacon for others, exemplifying what it truly means to don that jersey.” “I agree with you. We scored the goal at the 62-minute mark and then we might have to try to understand the moment, even if it could be a positive thing. If you hold the games in the balance then a corner kick, a blunder, or a mistake that can happen during matches needs to be considered. You didn’t provide any text to translate. We tried to seal it off and then we got him on a corner kick. It hurts. It hurts because now only the three points matter. For the fantastic crowd, even today there was an overwhelming number, our fans who, despite everything, give us something extra during the matches. “I have been here in Rome for six years, and even with the newcomers, with the young lads who ask about this moment, I always tell them about the fantastic European nights when the Olimpico was a boiling pot and I saw the terrified eyes of the opponents. As I often say, the Roma fans account for 60-70% of Roma’s victories because they truly add something extra, which is currently missing. We can’t blame them, it’s up to us to bring all that back.”