Cristante: ‘Roma’s goal is to win the Europa League’

Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante has made it clear that he and the Roma squad are aiming to win this season’s Europa League, but has urged fans not to get too excited, nor too disappointed as they find themselves at the top of the Serie A standings: ‘Balance is the key’. 

Roma have enjoyed a positive start to life under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who sits alone at the top of the Serie A table thanks to his side’s 3-1 win over Cremonese this weekend. 

For now, though, the attention reverts to the Europa League, where things have not been quite as easy for the Giallorossi this term. They are currently in 18th place, and will host the table-topping Midtjylland on Thursday night. The Danish side have won all four of their matches in the competition so far this season. 

One of the key players in Roma’s encouraging start to the season is midfielder Bryan Cristante, who has started in all of his side’s Serie A matches this term, plus another two in the Europa League. 

He joined Gasperini for the pre-match press conferences on Wednesday.

“I do my best, I do whatever the coach asks of me. I adapt easily to any role, I know how to interpret them,” Cristante said when asked about his position for Roma and under Gasperini.  

“We’ve been good at knowing that it’s still early and keeping our feet on the ground. We have to carry on like that, tackling each game with balance. The fans also have to understand that we can’t get too excited nor too down, balance is the key.” 

Cristante was asked what it has been like working with Gasperini again after their stint together in Bergamo with Atalanta. 

“It’s (as it was) when I left him in Bergamo. I knew he was good, the important thing is to keep up with him and convince ourselves that he is the right man to follow. We did that right away. The coach is strong and he has shown that everywhere.” 

Cristante was also asked if he still thinks back to Roma’s defeat on penalties against Sevilla in the 2022-23 Europa League final under Jose Mourinho. 

He replied: “It left a bitter taste in our mouths, but we can’t get too lost in the past. We came close to winning the Europa League, we know how nice it is to play in finals and win. We want to move forwards and do well. The goal is to win this competition.”