Pellegrini determined to build on Roma's solid start
Lorenzo Pellegrini says Roma is determined to build on its strong start under coach Gian Piero Gasperini as it prepares to face Udinese at Stadio Olimpico with a chance at top spot on the table at stake.
Roma entered the weekend fourth in Serie A, but just one point behind league leader Napoli, as it continued its momentum with a 2-0 win against Rangers in the UEFA Europa League.
While AC Milan replaced Napoli at the top of the table on Sunday (AEDT), it did so on goal difference only after blowing a 2-0 lead at Parma to draw 2-2 and earn only a point.
Pellegrini struggled to find his place in the squad at the start of the season, but the midfielder has featured regularly after scoring the winner against rival Lazio towards the end of September.
Roma is looking to bounce back from a league defeat against Milan last time out, and take revenge by moving ahead of the Rossoneri on the table, but Pellegrini insisted the team's main goal is to continue improving under Gasperini, whom he is delighted to be playing under.
"It was difficult at the start, as I was coming off an injury and missing match fitness, but from the derby onwards I had that consistency that I really wanted," Pellegrini said.
"Now I feel good physically, whether I come off the bench or start matches. I'm very happy, because it was a difficult summer on a psychological level, too.
"The coach is very demanding, but he knows the right buttons to press. As a player and as a fan, I am very happy that he is the coach of Roma.
"I think it is still early days, but what we must appreciate is the continual improvement of this team. We had results at the start of the season, but without the same determination and visible improvements that we saw today.
"The objective now is to keep improving, and soon our real strength will be clear for us as well as everyone else."
Wins over Atalanta and Lecce, either side of a defeat to Juventus, see Udinese sit ninth in Serie A and just three points off the European places after 10 matches.
It has won twice, drawn twice and lost twice in its past six league matches, but has also picked up a win against Inter Milan at the San Siro earlier in the campaign.
