Cristante: ‘Watch out for Papu’

Bryan Cristante “can’t wait” to play at the Olimpico on Monday night, but warned Roma to be wary of his former Atalanta teammate Papu Gomez.

It kicks off on Monday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.

“I can’t wait to experience playing in front of the Roma fans at the Stadio Olimpico,” the midfielder told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Bryan Cristante “can’t wait” to play at the Olimpico on Monday night, but warned Roma to be wary of his former Atalanta teammate Papu Gomez.

It kicks off on Monday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.

“I can’t wait to experience playing in front of the Roma fans at the Stadio Olimpico,” the midfielder told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Fortunately, we started the season on the right foot, even if we had to sweat buckets to get the victory against Torino. The opening games are always tough and we are still learning how to work together.

“Coach Eusebio Di Francesco asks us to play the ball, press high and keep to a modern style of football. Serie A is difficult, whether you are facing the league leaders or the team propping up the table. No opponent makes it easy.

“Roma can have a great campaign, so we can and must fight for the top spots.”

Cristante joined the Giallorossi this summer from Atalanta in a deal worth €20m plus up to €10m in performance-related bonuses, but as luck would have it, his first home match will be against his old club.

“On Monday it will be a different game to all the others, seeing as I’ll be up against teammates I spent the last two years with. I always had a good rapport with them and it’ll be nice to catch up with my friends.

“I achieved some important new heights on a football level there, thanks above all to Coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The player to keep an eye on is certainly Gomez, as if he’s in good shape, Papu can cause problems for anyone.”