Houssem Aouar admitted he’s ‘had two bad games’ for Roma in recent weeks but underlined his desire to impress coach Jose Mourinho in the Europa League match against Sheriff.
The 25-year-old Algerian midfielder was highly rated at Olympique Lyon and made the move to the Italian capital in the summer on a free transfer. He has struggled to show his best so far, directly contributing to just two goals across 14 total appearances this term.
Roma have already booked their spot in the Europa League knockout stages and are now fighting to secure the top spot in Group G, but they’ll have to beat Sheriff and hope Slavia Prague lose to Servette.
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Aouar first noted his ambition to start for Roma against Sheriff.
“Yes, I’m ready for tomorrow. I hope to play because I haven’t played much in the past matches. I know I have to do better to help the team and I hope I can do it.”
He touched on the importance of securing victory in their final Europa League group outing.
“We always want to win because when we play for Roma, it’s the objective. We know that it’ll be difficult to finish first, but it is not impossible. Tomorrow, we go out with a winning mentality, and we hope to be first at the end of the match.”
The 25-year-old discussed his early difficulties settling in with Roma.
“It’s the first time I’m away from Lyon. I know I have to learn. It’s difficult for me now, I had two bad games in Prague and Geneva. I know it. With humility I know that I have to show the coach that I can do more. I’m confident, starting tomorrow.”
Aouar was asked if Italian football was better than French football.
“I believe that the Italian one is stronger than the French one, but I still have to learn to play here because it is different.
“Here it is more tactical and technical, the French one has more intensity and is more physical. I hope that in the future I will become a good player in Italian football.”
Finally, Aouar discussed his relationship with Mourinho.
“The coach is a real person. For example, I talk to him a lot and I have already said that he helps me a lot to learn to play with the team, play different football, but I like this, I like the coach’s winning mentality.
“I’m happy and proud to play for him and I also know that it’s difficult for me having not played much, but I hope that now I can play great games for him, the team and the fans.”
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