Kevin Strootman wants Roma to “prove our strength by winning the derby” with Lazio and will discuss his future “in five years.”
The Derby della Capitale kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“It is always a special game and a difficult one too,” the Dutch midfielder told Rai Sport.
Kevin Strootman wants Roma to “prove our strength by winning the derby” with Lazio and will discuss his future “in five years.”
The Derby della Capitale kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“It is always a special game and a difficult one too,” the Dutch midfielder told Rai Sport.
“We are strong and have to prove our strength by winning the derby. Lazio are in good shape and have very good players like Stefan de Vrij, Felipe Anderson, Lucas Biglia and Keita Balde Diao. They play very well together and deserve their position in the table.”
The Giallorossi are in joint second place with Milan, but have shown a tendency to fumble leads and lose focus even after dominating a match.
“We play well in the first half, then sometimes lose our way in the second. That’s what happened against Atalanta, when we basically didn’t touch the ball in the second half and stopped playing.
“We’ve got to improve on that if we want to challenge for the Scudetto or a place in the Champions League. We’ve got to kill games off.”
Is the Scudetto something Roma should banish from their minds this season?
“Not if we can win away from home, no.”
Strootman has been linked with a move to the Premier League for Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City, but shut down rumours immediately.
“I was out injured for two years and Roma always supported me, so I want to play here. I am focused on the derby right now. Maybe I’ll think about other things in five years.”