Tommaso Baldanzi on wanting more from himself ahead of third season at Roma | OneFootball

Roma midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi released an interview to Cronache di Spogliatoio in which he discussed his season at Roma and Claudio Ranieri’s impact on the team.

“I don’t know what pill he used for us,” Baldanzi said of Ranieri, “but he touched the right keys.”

“He brought serenity and play: he was a very important figure for us, for where we were and how we were. I don’t think there was really a key and maybe that’s the beautiful thing.”

“We knew we had to wake up. We said to ourselves: “We have to win as many games as possible to save the season”, we didn’t have a specific goal. And then we wanted to play in the Champions League.”

“Before, there was a lot of sadness and anger. There are really strong players in this locker room. If the results don’t come, you’re already subconsciously angry, imagine when you’re aware of your strength. We spoke to each other several times, it was right to do so. We had to make a change.”

“We succeeded, I don’t know if more thanks to the coach, the training or the hard work. The most beautiful thing is that we always tried to get out of it as a group. Ranieri gave me many opportunities, I always felt his trust: even when I wasn’t a starter, I played great parts of the game, was useful for the team and able to show my qualities.”

On De Rossi, “I was very sorry about De Rossi’s dismissal. He was the one who brought me here, he made me understand straight away how much he wanted me. He gave a boy the opportunity to go from Empoli to a big team like Roma.”

“We worked a lot together, I felt how much he believed in me. He had done a lot to bring me to Roma. And then he was the first person I had met here. Coming from a small place like Empoli, the first day I entered Trigoria, I said: “Oh my God, 400 people. Do they all work here?”. It took me a moment, I felt disoriented. And he was there for me.”

On Dybala, “He is a golden person, really, as well as the best I have ever played with. Making my debut coming on in his place was magical: I had already played at the Olimpico against Roma, but when those people are on your side it makes an even bigger impression.”

“In September I scored my first goal in Giallorossi against Udinese: I wanted to explode all my joy under the Curva, but the moment was a bit strange. I thought: “Maybe it’s better not to”. However, goals and assists have been my weak point this year: I have had good performances, but on a personal level I would have liked to have done more.”