Roma's Alisson stresses the need for a goalkeeper to keep the ball in his feet: 'It's necessary to play the modern game'.
The 23-year-old is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Doni, who defended the Giallorossi's goal from 2005 to 2011.
“Personally, when I was playing for the clubs, I always tried to play with my feet so I could become a modern goalkeeper and so I could keep an eye on European football,” said Alisson in his Press conference.
Roma's Alisson stresses the need for a goalkeeper to keep the ball in his feet: 'It's necessary to play the modern game'.
The 23-year-old is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Doni, who defended the Giallorossi's goal from 2005 to 2011.
“Personally, when I was playing for the clubs, I always tried to play with my feet so I could become a modern goalkeeper and so I could keep an eye on European football,” said Alisson in his Press conference.
“Brazilian football is adapting itself to this new reality, even while keeping its own style. But there are still certain prejudices, and fans start grumbling if they see the ball passed back to the keeper.
“Many of my teammates in the national team are used to having a goalkeeper who plays the ball, so I always tried to do the same. I want to be an extra resource [when building play].”
The goalkeeper was then asked about Francesco Totti and about Doni himself.
“It's a great honour to play with someone like Totti, he's an Italian and world idol. My nephew is called Francesco in his honour. I don't speak very much Italian and I still haven't had an exchange with Totti.
“I don't know Doni personally, but I've seen some of his games with Roma and I'd like to meet him. Rome is alike to Porto Alegre in terms of the weather, it's hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
“I'll have no problems with the language, I already tried some of it in Brazil.
“People say that Brazilian goalkeepers lack continuity? I didn't know about that. I hope to disclaim that.
“I chose number 19 for no specific reason. I had a variety of numbers in the other teams I played for, too.”
Finally, Alisson was asked about some rumours according to which Falcao declared him unfit to act as a leader.
“I'm very surprised by these rumours. I became a captain because of my ability to lead the team. A goalkeeper has to use his strength and his head, and a poor decision can happen.
“The Copa America? Yes, of course we wanted to win it, but this is football. This is a period of reconstruction for Brazil, we're working so we can make our fans happy again.”