Mario Hermoso: “We must match Athletic in their physicality.”

Roma defender Mario Hermoso spoke to Sky Sport on the eve of the Giallorossi’s first Europa League outing of the season.

The veteran centreback discussed tomorrow’s opponent in Athletic Club.

“We all know Athletic Bilbao: they’re a team with a clear structure, a very specific philosophy and players who give everything for the team.”

“They are a team that competes very well on a collective level, who are always ready for physical duels.”

“Over time they brought in young players like Nico Williams. They must be faced in the right way, we must match their physicality in individual duels.”

“Young players I like at Roma? Pisilli, who is perhaps one of the least known due to his short career, is certainly a great player in terms of personality. He has a fundamental characteristics for modern football, namely not feeling pressure when he has the ball at his feet.”

“It is a skill that you either have or don’t have and that cannot be learned over time.”