Rodrigo Mora celebrated a third consecutive Serie A scoring appearance as Roma beat Sassuolo 3–0, while Mario Hermoso and Nahuel Molina praised the ambition and work ethic driving Gian Piero Gasperini’s team.
The victory sent Roma into the international break on a positive note after the disappointment at Manchester United. Speaking afterwards to Sky Sport and DAZN, the three players discussed their performances, the demanding schedule and the belief within the dressing room.
Mora: “We must always be ready”
Mora credited Donyell Malen for setting up his goal and expressed his satisfaction at another decisive contribution.
“It was a great pass from Malen. I went for it and today I was fortunate enough to score another important goal, and Roma keep winning.”
Asked by Sky Sport whether he had expected Roma to be this strong, he said:
“Yes, I thought they were a strong team. I could see it in training too, and we are showing it on the pitch. We have to keep going like this and things will go well.”
His growing involvement has brought greater confidence, although Mora stressed that opportunities can change quickly.
“Football is crazy. Sometimes you play and sometimes you don’t, but you have to be ready. It’s my third consecutive goal in the league and I’m very happy.”
Speaking to DAZN, he expanded on the importance of contributing whenever called upon.
“I think football has its moments, and right now I’m experiencing a very positive one. Perhaps a month ago things weren’t going quite as well, but that’s football. Sometimes you play, other times you don’t. We must always be ready.
“When I don’t play, there are Mati, Piso and Bryan. The most important thing is that everyone helps the team achieve victory.”
Mora explains his understanding with Soulé and Malen
The Portuguese attacker believes familiarity with his teammates is helping him make better decisions on the pitch.
“I think after every match you get to know your teammates better. Now I know Mati better: he comes towards the ball more to get involved, while Dony prefers to receive it at his feet and dribble.
“I think, match after match, it becomes easier to understand how to play together. Things are going well now, as we also saw in Manchester with the understanding between me and Mati.
“I really enjoy playing with these boys. They are excellent players and we have to keep going like this.”
His comments followed Gasperini’s praise for Roma’s attacking variety and Soulé’s outstanding performance against Sassuolo.
Portugal pride and a joke about Ronaldo’s No.7
Mora also discussed his selection for Portugal’s senior squad, describing it as a special moment for his family.
“I’m very happy about the national-team call-up. It’s a moment of great pride for me and my family.
“As for Cristiano, I was really fortunate to have played with him and shared a dressing room with him. He is an idol for everyone. Now he has retired from the national team, but all of Portugal must thank him for what he has done for us.
“Now we have to move forward, giving everything we have.”
Asked whether he would like to wear Ronaldo’s No.7 shirt, Mora laughed off the suggestion.
“I’m not thinking about that. It’s too much, really too much. The 86 is fine.”
Hermoso: “The team wants to win and stay near the top”
Hermoso’s opener helped break down Sassuolo’s resistance, and the defender emphasised the importance of returning to winning ways.
“Of course, it’s something the coach and the team want. Sometimes, after these games you don’t win, modern football doesn’t give you time to think. The team wants to win, to stay near the top. It was so important, and we did it.”
Asked about the attacking opportunities Gasperini creates for his defenders, Hermoso explained:
“Yes, the coach gets you into shape physically and sets you up on the pitch to find these situations. We have the quality to make those passes. We keep working like this going forward, as well as defensively. We do everything we can to help the attackers too.”
The Spaniard reiterated to DAZN that Roma still have time to improve their European position.
“Yes, it was important to keep going like this during this run of games. Winning to stay near the top was important too, especially after the defeat in Manchester. There is time to put things right in the Champions League as well.”
“The mentality must always be strong”
Hermoso enjoyed his goal, but placed greater importance on the result and the team’s resilience.
“Getting into those positions is always nice. When you have the chance to score, it’s always positive—for the people, the supporters and the team.
“It’s very important to me, but what matters more is that the team wins, that it is strong and never gives up.
“Sometimes things don’t go in the best way, but the mentality must always be strong. Not giving up is important.”
In a separate answer about difficult events affecting people in Spain, Hermoso offered a more personal reflection.
“These have been difficult days. When these things happen, it’s never nice to hear about them or see them. The pain becomes part of people’s lives, of so many families suffering through these situations.
“That’s when you understand football isn’t the most important thing: there is family, the people we have beside us. Sometimes life is awful. Sometimes nobody deserves certain things. I’m sorry for all the families who have suffered.”
Molina recognises the intensity of Atlético Madrid
Molina was asked whether Roma’s intensity reminded him of his experience at Atlético Madrid.
“Definitely. This team, the staff, the coach—everyone wants to win and do things well.
“When we sometimes don’t win, we keep working with humility, the kind great teams have. Today’s match deserves enormous credit and brings this run of games to an end.”
The Argentine said Roma’s quality had been apparent before he joined.
“Yes, because even last season you could see a strong group with lots of good players. The coach too.
“I’m in a wonderful team, and off the pitch there are good people too, people who work and want to win. It’s lovely.”
Molina keeps title talk brief
Speaking to DAZN, Molina acknowledged the physical demands of the recent schedule.
“Yes, there have been so many games, at a very high level, as the coach demands. If we keep going like this, the team will continue to do well.”
Asked whether Roma consider themselves a Scudetto contender, his answer was deliberately simple.
“We are a team that works hard and has a lot of desire.”
Sources: Sky Sport, DAZN
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