Radja Nainggolan explains why he turned down Chelsea for Roma, but is concerned at facing Inter and Mauro Icardi this weekend.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“In order to win you need to avoid conceding goals and lately we’ve let in a few too many,” the Belgium international told Roma TV.
Radja Nainggolan explains why he turned down Chelsea for Roma, but is concerned at facing Inter and Mauro Icardi this weekend.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“In order to win you need to avoid conceding goals and lately we’ve let in a few too many,” the Belgium international told Roma TV.
“We will therefore aim to stop the Inter strikers, especially as the attack is their greatest strength. Icardi has proved in recent years that he is a top level striker and now it’s up to us to stop him.
“Icardi is their most dangerous marksman, but I would also take away Ivan Perisic, if I had the chance.”
Roma recovered from their 3-1 Serie A defeat at Torino by crushing Astra Giurgiu 4-0 in the Europa League, but Inter were humiliated 3-1 at Sparta Prague on Thursday.
“This season Inter are doing well in Serie A and it will be an important match for our campaign, because we are only one point behind the Nerazzurri and getting ahead of them would send a strong signal,” continued Nainggolan.
“It will certainly take time for them to assimilate Frank de Boer’s ideas. They lost to Sparta Prague, but I remain confident they’ll have a good season.
“Our victory over Astra was an important response. We know our capabilities, but sometimes you can get a match wrong.”
Roma have won three competitive home fixtures by 4-0 scorelines this season, whereas they are still without a victory on their travels.
“Playing at home certainly gives us an extra boost, but it’s our own fault we struggled away. If you look at the Cagliari game, we were 2-0 up and allowed the comeback for 2-2.”
Nainggolan was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea over the summer, but the club and player rejected Antonio Conte’s overtures.
“I’ve been happy here since the start and I decided to stay here, because I think we can do well in this city and with this team. I am convinced we can achieve something wonderful. I’m happy in Rome and have everything I need to be relaxed, so that’s the important thing.
“I am feeling stronger all the time, despite only doing half of pre-season training due to Euro 2016. I am not seeking excuses, though. I think I was on form until the Champions League play-offs with Porto, then had a dip, but I’m trying to find it again.”