Roma defender Kostas Manolas is “convinced that we’re stronger” than Milan, and targets the Serie A summit.
The Giallorossi face a crucial two weeks in their season, facing the Rossoneri on Monday night before a trip to Turin to take on leaders Juventus.
“We have to take things a game a time, because it’s not just down to us,” Manolas told Roma Match Program when asked about the possibility of being top at Christmas.
Roma defender Kostas Manolas is “convinced that we’re stronger” than Milan, and targets the Serie A summit.
The Giallorossi face a crucial two weeks in their season, facing the Rossoneri on Monday night before a trip to Turin to take on leaders Juventus.
“We have to take things a game a time, because it’s not just down to us,” Manolas told Roma Match Program when asked about the possibility of being top at Christmas.
“We hope to be top of the table. Juve will have played a game less than us, and we’d like to be top of the table having played a game more.
“Milan? We’ll go into it concentrated as always, Milan have a lot of youngsters who don’t have a lot of experience, but who play well.
“We’ll go onto the pitch knowing the Juventus result [against Torino], so we’ll have to be brave and determined to bring home the three points.
“It’s an important game, and not just because we can go ahead of them. We have to win and hope that Juventus don’t win the derby.
“There’s a long way to go, so they won’t be decisive, but the two games with Juve and Milan which lie ahead of us are very important.
“At the start of the season I never expected Milan to be in second place at this point, Montella has done a great job with the young players at his disposal.
“That said, we respect everyone but if we’re in form then we shouldn’t fear anyone. I think we have an advantage over Milan, I’m convinced that we’re stronger and we have to prove it.
“Where can we improve? The only thing we could do better is to be first! We’re second, and to do better we have to move ahead.
“In the Europa League we won the group, so the only disappointment of the season really is that we didn’t get into the Champions League.”
Roma’s Ultras have been boycotting Stadio Olimpico since last season, in protest at new barriers dividing the Curva Sud.
“The fans are very important, unfortunately they can’t come to the stadium because of this story with the barriers.
“They’re very important for us though. We feel sad, it’s ugly with no fans.
“A team like Roma needs our fans, seeing 20,000 at the Stadio Olimpico recently is a bit sad. I hope at least 40,000 will be in the stadium against Milan.”