Mancini talks about his expectations for the Champions League and contract renewal with Roma: "We're talking. Let's see what happens."

Gianluca Mancini spoke to _Sky Sport_ about the frustration of not qualifying for the World Cup, his contract renewal and the season with Roma. "I can speak as a key figure who, unfortunately, didn't qualify for the World Cup: it's a pain that hurts. I'm not watching the games because it really hurts not to be there. I can't, I don't watch the games live because it hurts not to be there." "I don't like to say much: if we don't qualify three times, it's not just a problem with the young players, the academy or the coaches, as I'm hearing a little. It's a bigger problem that we hope, over the years, with the young people we have, to be able to return to being protagonists in the World Cup." "Qualifying for the Champions League? In my opinion, it's worth it for the whole year, which was extraordinary, with ups and downs, but that's normal in a long championship. As you said, the team did great things, reaching two finals and a semi-final. All we were missing was this issue of the Champions League. For seven years, we always came very close to finishing: fifth, sixth, and so on. The corollary of that journey was, in fact, qualifying for the Champions League, thanks to a fantastic third place that will allow us to play in the Champions next season." "My new contract? [Pellegrini](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/) and I enjoyed our vacation, talking about everything and nothing. Let's see, I'm waiting. Look at my smile, I'm at peace."  "We were talking and we are still talking with the club. We are talking, and throughout the year, I was focused on the games. We didn't immediately agree on the main objective that we had from the beginning, in the dressing room with the coach, but as we went forward, we believed more and more that we could achieve it, and in the end, we did. That was the most important thing. Then there are all the people involved, my agent, myself and the club: we are talking. As I said before, we are still talking, I am waiting for answers, and we will see what happens." "After the game against [Verona](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/), at the final whistle, I was on the ground hugging Bryan and I thought about it. I imagined the stadiums, the Champions League theme song, which I've never heard and will hear when I'm thirty. And it's beautiful just imagining it. I can't wait to play, hear that theme song, face great teams and this competition for the first time. I'm so happy and now I'm enjoying the last few days of vacation. Then we'll think about the training camp to be ready for another important season, with even higher goals and a greater awareness of what we've achieved. But everything is erased immediately: we start again with a new season and new goals now. "The game against Juventus was a real blow for 24-48 hours. Coming back in the 93rd minute or so was a huge blow. But our coach gave us a lot of confidence there. After that game, he told us he would leave us like that for two days, but then he didn't want to see us like that anymore, because we gave a great performance. Nowe won due to incidents and even some of our own mistakes, but he was satisfied with the team and what we did. Even after the game against [Inter](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/), when we suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat, he told us that it was the first time he saw us with our heads down and morale low. It might happen in a year, but it shouldn't have happened again." "Then, in the last five games, he told us that there were a lot of points at stake, with a lot of teams fighting for the Champions League: if we believed in that and didn't make mistakes, by getting 15 points, we would qualify for the Champions League. And so it was: five wins, 15 points. Looking at the season now, after the game against [Parma](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/), which was a complete disappointment, it gives us great joy. For me, it was the best game of the season because it allowed us to reach the derby after a difficult period. Football gives and takes: in March it took something from us, in May it gave it back to us. At the decisive moment, we were good, even a little lucky, as necessary, in never giving up. Finishing third after a year like that is something unique. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Mancini ready to debut in Champions League with Roma](https://azzurrigoal.com/it/news/mancini-pronto-a-debuttare-in-champions-league-con-la-roma)