Neil El Aynaoui charges Roma: goal set
Neil El Aynaoui, Roma’s new midfielder, indulged in an ’exclusive interview with ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. “We have been working very well, with intensity – he began on the English training camp -. Now we have a few days to recover some energy and start again in Trigoria from Wednesday in view of the start of the championship”.
On his role: “I do not have a favorite position. Gasperini deployed me further forward with Everton and that’s fine, I play where I am needed. As a kid I started as a striker, that gave me a sense of goal, then at 15 I switched to midfield. I feel like a modern midfielder, able to do in both phases: generous and able to cover more areas”.
“My characteristics I think are well suited to both penalty areas– added the Moroccan -, both when there is defending and attacking. I am inspired by Iniesta, I used to live in Barcelona when I was a kid and I play with 8 for him. But I do not think for a moment about making a comparison…”.
About comparisons there’s those who have likened him to Radja Nainggolan: “For me even to be likened to him is a great compliment, this is a player who made history. I wish I could repeat his exploits”.
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He then set the season’s goal: “We have to take Roma back to where it deserves to be. This is a great club, winning trophies here would be wonderful. I still lack knowledge of the league on the field, so for the Champions League I say we will struggle with the teams that came above us last year. This gap, however, we can close it with work. Every match should be prepared in the same way: whether it is a big match or not”.
Closing on the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Morocco itself: “So far I have been summoned with the Under 23. We will see what will happen, now I only think about Roma”.
