© Getty Images
“I’d
seen him two or three times when he was at Arsenal, but it’s only when
you’re playing alongside him that you realise what an absolute monster
he is. If he was more clinical, Gervinho would be at Cristiano Ronaldo’s
level.”
These were the words of Francesco Totti, and the subject of his praise in the Gazzetta dello Sport in January was none other than Gervinho. At the time, although the Ivoirian's influence on Roma’s game was undeniable, his total number of goals could be counted on just one hand.
These were the words of Francesco Totti, and the subject of his praise in the Gazzetta dello Sport in January was none other than Gervinho. At the time, although the Ivoirian's influence on Roma’s game was undeniable, his total number of goals could be counted on just one hand.
A
few months down the line, following a successful conclusion to the
2013/14 season that saw him increase his goals and assists tally to nine
and ten respectively, the Abidjan native has significantly enhanced his
scoring proficiency.
Credited with two of the four strikes that Les Elephants
netted at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, Gervais Yao Kouassi - his
full name - has continued in the same vein in the early stages of this
current Serie A campaign.
Having notched three goals in four games for I Giallorossi thus far, he also got on the scoresheet for his country again in September, in a 2-1 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over Sierra Leone. Indeed, the Roma
No27 appears to be reaching the peak of a career that has involved
spells in Belgium (Beveren), France (Le Mans and Lille) and England
(Arsenal).
In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, the crowd-pleasing 27-year-old, who recently signed a contract extension with his club, shared his thoughts on Brazil 2014, Roma’s chances of glory this season and the prospects for Côte d’Ivoire following Didier Drogba’s international retirement.
FIFA.com: Gervinho, judging by your recent performances, Côte d’Ivoire’s early exit from the 2014 World Cup does not appear to have damaged your confidence.
Gervinho: Well, it did take me a while to accept the fact we had been eliminated. We were intent on qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament, but unfortunately we conceded that last-minute penalty to Greece and lost 2-1 – a result that prevented us from moving on. We tried to put our feelings of disappointment behind us by going on holiday with our families, but it wasn’t easy. Things are better now. I’m focused on achieving new objectives for my club and my country. There’s the qualifying campaign for the Cup of Nations, and my second season with Roma, where I feel comfortable and would like to play for the foreseeable future.
You’ve made it clear that Roma coach Rudi Garcia, a man you know well, has played a key role in helping you settle. How important has he been to the success that Roma and you have enjoyed?
He’s loved by the Roma supporters, as well as by everyone in and around the club. He’s been able to get his ideas across well and apply his style of play, which is based on holding onto the ball as much as possible. All the players immediately bought into his plans, and the results followed. Personally speaking, I first met him in 2007, when I was at Le Mans. I also played under him at Lille in 2009, and then we came together again at Roma last season. To sum up, we know each other very well; I understand what makes him tick, and vice versa.
Roma were very active in the transfer market this summer, signing Urby Emanuelson, Juan Iturbe, Ashley Cole and Kostas Manolas. Is the league title the principal target this season?
We certainly did some good business in the transfer market. Now there’s competition for places practically all over the park, which is good news, as we’re involved in numerous competitions this year. And, looking back, it was perhaps a lack of depth that cost us the title last season. Now, anything is possible.
Italian clubs have not shone as brightly in European competition over the past few years. Is the quality in Serie A very different from the English Premier League, for example?
Every national championship has its own characteristics and its own tempo. Having played in Ligue 1 and the Premier League, I don’t feel like the level of Italian football has dropped all that much. In fact, Serie A remains a very attractive prospect, as some big-name players decided to come and play here during the summer. Although some clubs have struggled in Europe, we’re going to work hard at projecting another image of Italian football.
FIFA.com: Gervinho, judging by your recent performances, Côte d’Ivoire’s early exit from the 2014 World Cup does not appear to have damaged your confidence.
Gervinho: Well, it did take me a while to accept the fact we had been eliminated. We were intent on qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament, but unfortunately we conceded that last-minute penalty to Greece and lost 2-1 – a result that prevented us from moving on. We tried to put our feelings of disappointment behind us by going on holiday with our families, but it wasn’t easy. Things are better now. I’m focused on achieving new objectives for my club and my country. There’s the qualifying campaign for the Cup of Nations, and my second season with Roma, where I feel comfortable and would like to play for the foreseeable future.
You’ve made it clear that Roma coach Rudi Garcia, a man you know well, has played a key role in helping you settle. How important has he been to the success that Roma and you have enjoyed?
He’s loved by the Roma supporters, as well as by everyone in and around the club. He’s been able to get his ideas across well and apply his style of play, which is based on holding onto the ball as much as possible. All the players immediately bought into his plans, and the results followed. Personally speaking, I first met him in 2007, when I was at Le Mans. I also played under him at Lille in 2009, and then we came together again at Roma last season. To sum up, we know each other very well; I understand what makes him tick, and vice versa.
Roma were very active in the transfer market this summer, signing Urby Emanuelson, Juan Iturbe, Ashley Cole and Kostas Manolas. Is the league title the principal target this season?
We certainly did some good business in the transfer market. Now there’s competition for places practically all over the park, which is good news, as we’re involved in numerous competitions this year. And, looking back, it was perhaps a lack of depth that cost us the title last season. Now, anything is possible.
Italian clubs have not shone as brightly in European competition over the past few years. Is the quality in Serie A very different from the English Premier League, for example?
Every national championship has its own characteristics and its own tempo. Having played in Ligue 1 and the Premier League, I don’t feel like the level of Italian football has dropped all that much. In fact, Serie A remains a very attractive prospect, as some big-name players decided to come and play here during the summer. Although some clubs have struggled in Europe, we’re going to work hard at projecting another image of Italian football.
The draw for the UEFA Champions League was not all that kind to Roma, pitting you against Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow and Manchester City. Are you feeling positive about it?
Of course we have some big teams in our group, but it’s not like Roma are completely unknown either. We’ve got just as much chance as the other three sides. Although it’s been four years since we’ve taken part in the Champions League, we have players in our squad who are very familiar with it. We’ll have the benefit of their experience. We’re very hopeful.
Of course we have some big teams in our group, but it’s not like Roma are completely unknown either. We’ve got just as much chance as the other three sides. Although it’s been four years since we’ve taken part in the Champions League, we have players in our squad who are very familiar with it. We’ll have the benefit of their experience. We’re very hopeful.
After Didier Drogba’s retirement, is there the same sense of optimism at national-team level?
Didier was our captain – he made a great contribution to the national team and will leave a huge void. As far as I’m concerned, I’m proud and happy to have played alongside him. But he’s left now, and we need to move on. We have some important challenges coming up, including the Cup of Nations qualifiers and the tournament itself in January. That’s what we have to focus on.
Didier was our captain – he made a great contribution to the national team and will leave a huge void. As far as I’m concerned, I’m proud and happy to have played alongside him. But he’s left now, and we need to move on. We have some important challenges coming up, including the Cup of Nations qualifiers and the tournament itself in January. That’s what we have to focus on.
When you reflect on Côte d’Ivoire’s World Cup campaign, what do you think went wrong?
We were expected to get out of our group, and we were expected to beat Greece in our last match. In the end, there wasn’t much in it - a penalty in the final seconds knocked us out. It came down to little mistakes. We were all responsible for them, and they cost us dearly. I must admit that I took our exit rather badly. The World Cup was very important to me and to the whole country. We were left with a lot of regrets.
Do you think that Côte d’Ivoire have fallen off their perch?
Despite the failure in Brazil, the quality of our players is not in doubt. For me, the best team in Africa is still Côte d’Ivoire.
We were expected to get out of our group, and we were expected to beat Greece in our last match. In the end, there wasn’t much in it - a penalty in the final seconds knocked us out. It came down to little mistakes. We were all responsible for them, and they cost us dearly. I must admit that I took our exit rather badly. The World Cup was very important to me and to the whole country. We were left with a lot of regrets.
Do you think that Côte d’Ivoire have fallen off their perch?
Despite the failure in Brazil, the quality of our players is not in doubt. For me, the best team in Africa is still Côte d’Ivoire.
What was your reaction to the news that Herve Renard had been handed the reins of the national team?
It’s the Ivoirian FA’s decision, but every new arrival is very welcome. It’s always quite rewarding getting to know a new coach.
After you enjoyed a particularly successful 2013/14 season, you’ve continued to impress this term. Are you currently playing the best football of your life?
I did have a good season with Roma, and we qualified for the Champions League, which was our main goal. And I gave all I had during the World Cup. Right now, I’m just trying to maintain that form.
And what is your prime objective for this season?
First, winning the Cup of Nations. And second, winning the Serie A title. That’s in chronological order, not in order of personal preference!
It’s the Ivoirian FA’s decision, but every new arrival is very welcome. It’s always quite rewarding getting to know a new coach.
After you enjoyed a particularly successful 2013/14 season, you’ve continued to impress this term. Are you currently playing the best football of your life?
I did have a good season with Roma, and we qualified for the Champions League, which was our main goal. And I gave all I had during the World Cup. Right now, I’m just trying to maintain that form.
And what is your prime objective for this season?
First, winning the Cup of Nations. And second, winning the Serie A title. That’s in chronological order, not in order of personal preference!
Ozil: I have nothing to prove
© AFP
The German FIFA World Cup™ winner answered the growing doubters with a masterful display in the 3-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Saturday. He swept in the opening goal and created the second for Danny Welbeck at Villa Park when deployed in a more central role by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
The 25-year-old has continually found himself under scrutiny since becoming Arsenal's £42million club record signing from Real Madrid on deadline day in September 2013. However, Ozil is not about to let anyone else's opinion get in the way of his continued progress with the Gunners.
"I don't play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal," Ozil told German news agency DPA. "I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.
I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.
Mesut Ozil
Ozil added: "(Just) ten weeks ago I was elected to the team of the season in England (via an internet poll on the Premier League website). I was world champion then. It was the summer break and after a few games (of the new season) everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer."
Ozil is likely to be one of several first-team players rested by Wenger for the League Cup tie at home to Southampton on Tuesday night, but should again be the key man for Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.
The cup tie could see a debut for Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, who has yet to feature apart from on the bench after regaining fitness following a summer move from Nice. Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell may be another deployed against the Saints, along with fit-again midfielder Abou
Enrique hails Messi, Neymar combination
© AFP
Barcelona
boss Luis Enrique lauded the quality of strike duo Lionel Messi and
Neymar after both were on target as the Catalans maintained their 100
per cent start to the La Liga season with a 5-0 win at Levante.
Messi
fired a first-half penalty off target, but teed up Neymar and Sandro
Ramirez to take his tally of assists to six in just five games this
season and finally got his goal as he rounded off the scoring 18 minutes
from time.
"With Leo Messi we are talking
about a unique, special player. His team-mates know well that when he
has the ball, he can not only beat players but assist them
magnificently," said Enrique.
"I love that
the players find these conditions amongst themselves and take advantage
of Leo's quality in this case. Today he assisted in a number of goals in
a spectacular way and also scored. I think it was a complete game from
everyone."
Neymar's opener was reminiscent
of his first goal in the 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao last weekend
as his pace was too much for the Levante defence and the Brazilian's run
was expertly picked out by Messi's ball over the top. "He has the
quality to receive the ball to feet and he has the quality to attack
spaces," added Enrique.
"Every striker has
to look for that variety and I am not just speaking about Neymar, but I
thought the movement of Sandro, Pedro (Rodriguez) and Leo was good. I
could speak about the whole team and the offensive and defensive work
they did."
Neymar injury concern
The only negative point of the evening for Barcelona came early in the second half as Neymar suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Sandro despite appearing to want to continue.
The only negative point of the evening for Barcelona came early in the second half as Neymar suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Sandro despite appearing to want to continue.
Enrique
insisted he had been extra cautious as the 22-year-old has suffered a
series of ankle problems in his time at Barcelona, including a sprain in
his left ankle which ruled him out of the season opener against Elche
last month.
And he is hopeful Neymar will
be available for their midweek trip to Malaga on Wednesday. "He suffered
a sprained ankle recently and therefore we decided to take him off. The
doctors will analyse it. It is normal when the player sprains his ankle
he gets a fright and asks for the change.
"We hope it won't be anything important but there was nothing strange in the substitution."
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