Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco has opened up about two of his rising stars Cengiz Under and Patrik Schick in the lead up to the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool on Tuesday.
Di Francesco joked about Under still not knowing Italian and hinted that Schick may not be quite ready yet after his display against Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
This could indicate that Under will get the nod against Liverpool. Afterall he did come on as a second-half substitute in the return tie against Barcelona after recovering from injury and provide the assist that took Roma through to the last-four.
“The first thing to tell you about Under is that he doesn’t understand a word of Italian!” Di Francesco laughed, in his pre-match Press conference.
“I tell the lads to cover their ears when they go out to the pitch, but he doesn’t even have to do that.
“After that it’s also a matter of character. Schick’s start weighed more on him, in the derby he didn’t express what he had against Barcelona.
“Maybe I was too hasty in putting him back on the pitch right away, he wasn’t in the best condition but he’s really growing in his attitude and availability.
“He’s lacking a goal, which is really important for a striker, and when he finds it he’ll be very satisfied.
“As for Under I’m calm, he can’t understand anything so it’s a big advantage for us.”
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Under was signed as the replacement for Mohamed Salah who joined Liverpool over the summer.
The 20-year-old has six goals and two assists in all competitions for the Giaollorossi this season.
Roma do however, have to take on Genoa and then SPAL first in the Serie A before the Liverpool game.
The Rome based outfit cannot afford to take the league games lightly either as a top-four finish is not yet a guarantee.
“We have to think about Genoa,” Di Francesco underlined.
“Since [Davide] Ballardini arrived the Ligurians haven’t conceded many goals, they’ve been one of the best defences in the league.
“It will be a delicate game; they’re solid, good on the counter-attack and we can’t think about anything else.
“We’ll change something, but we won’t be underestimating them.
“We’re not very used to this [competing on two fronts] but we have to get used to it and quickly. We need to understand that all games are important.
“Everyone seems to be ready, and I hope the impression I’m getting now will be transferred to the pitch.”