Roma defender Federico Fazio is ready for the Paulo Fonseca era but warns ‘the start of the season will be hugely important.’
Fazio is entering his fourth season with Roma, but the 32-year-old goes into the campaign without his usual partner Kostas Manolas and with a new Coach, who is known for his use of a high line at the back.
When asked about his future and Fonseca, he told Roma Radio: “I was Roman as soon as I arrived – I felt comfortable here immediately.
Roma defender Federico Fazio is ready for the Paulo Fonseca era but warns ‘the start of the season will be hugely important.’
Fazio is entering his fourth season with Roma, but the 32-year-old goes into the campaign without his usual partner Kostas Manolas and with a new Coach, who is known for his use of a high line at the back.
When asked about his future and Fonseca, he told Roma Radio: “I was Roman as soon as I arrived – I felt comfortable here immediately.
“My family did too – from the start we’ve all felt really settled here in Rome. it’s an intriguing season ahead for us players too.
“This sort of thing happens in football, Coaches change often and you have to get to know someone new. We’re looking forward to training hard during this period.
“I remember [Fonseca’s Shakhtar] were a side that played nice football, from front to back, and created a lot of chances.
“It was good that we won [against them last season], but it was a tough tie. Especially over there, it was freezing and they played very well. But we matched them.
“[The high press] worries the goalkeepers more! We are used to it: I like to play with the ball at my feet, so we are excited to see exactly what the Coach has in mind.”
“Above all we need to be compact and structured. Whether or not the team is high up the pitch or drops back, you need to be compact and, just as the boss said, keep the ball.”
The Argentine was then asked for his thoughts on the season, with Juventus, Milan and Inter also hiring new Coaches.
“There have been a lot of changes; all the teams that are battling for the Champions League places or the title have changed a lot in terms of players and Coaches
“It’ll be different for the League and the same goes for us: we need to adjust, getting to know the coaches and players. It’ll be a great challenge, not just for us, but for every side that has changed things.
“I think the start to the season will be hugely important. We will need to have a good season and stay up near the top. How we start will give us confidence for the rest of the campaign.
“I always think it’s good to have a demanding Coach; competition makes a team great, you need to battle and you need to train as best you can.
“We have seven weeks ahead of us and we have time to put the work in, to get to know the Coach, to prepare as best we can. We need to really put in the work during this period.”
Fonseca was a defender in his playing days, so does that benefit Fazio and his fellow stoppers?
“Of course, from my experience it always helps a little bit with the defensive phase if the coach was a defender himself.”