AS ROMA, Goicoechea: "My technical qualities are those of a typical South American keeper"

© foto di Giuseppe Celeste/Image Sport

INTRODUCTORY SPEECH BY WALTER SABATINI
I apologise to the journalists gathered here, but I have no desire to discuss other matters today. I feel it is inappropriate to talk about football when we all have other things on our minds after the passing of Francesca Bonfanti, whom you all knew. So I will simply introduce Mauro Goicochea, a player we wanted very much and whom we managed to sign right on the transfer deadline from Danubio, whom I wish to thank. Danubio is a great club that has produced a long line of talent over the years. We have a constructive relationship with them and I thank them on this occasion because they were patient enough to wait for the end of the transfer window. The player was specifically requested by the coach and we work with him very closely on all transfer dealings. Mauro is a young goalkeeper with a great margin for improvement. He has plenty of time to do so because he will be at Roma for a long while. Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate our Primavera team for winning yet another important trophy and also to congratulate their coach Alberto De Rossi - he is extremely important to this club.

QUALITIES
My technical qualities are those of a typical South American keeper. My greatest asset? I think using my feet is one of the things I'm best at. I've only ever been a goalkeeper: I've always loved making saves from a very young age.
GRATEFUL TO ROMA
I'm very grateful to Roma for signing me. My targets? I've come to a great club to grow and improve as a player. In time my ambition is to become this team's first-choice goalkeeper. Did Zeman come looking for me last season through [goalkeeping coach Franco] Mancini? I didn't know anything about it at the time, but obviously it's something that makes me feel very proud.
NUMBER 13
My shirt number? I chose 13 because it's the day my niece and wife were born on.
URUGUAY
I've played for Uruguay at youth level but I haven't had the chance to do so for the senior side yet, also because I've often had great goalkeepers like Muslera and Martin Silva ahead of me. I hope my chance will come in the future.
IDOLS
At the start of my career I spent a lot of time copying Fabian Canini's technique. Now one of the best keepers in the world is Buffon, he's certainly a model to be followed.
NEGOTIATIONS
I must admit that towards the end of August I was getting a bit anxious because the days were passing and the deal wasn't going through. Fortunately it all worked out ok and now I'm here and happy. Stekelenburg and Lobont? Two top keepers who have both been involved with their national teams recently. I'm really pleased to be able to work with them and improve my game thanks to their advice.