Injuries and Covid will decide the Serie A table, says Mancini

has been in a good form since the start of their 2020-21 Seire A campaign and are currently in 4th place of the league's table with 14 points. Paulo Fonseca’s team is only three points behind

as the leaders of the table and has shown high consistency in their game as they are unbeaten in their five last matches. However, the threat of COVID-19 alongside a tight schedule has made the Italian clubs worry about the future of the competition. Roma defender

who was tested positive for COVID-19 a month ago has spoken about the current Serie A season and the pandemic’s effect on the teams.

“We all know it’s a strange season, injuries and Covid will determine the table,” he told

Il Corriere dello Sport

.

“Juventus have changed their coach and many players, Roma must focus on one game at time, our target is to qualify for the Champions League, we must remain concentrated,

“Important players have arrived: Pedro and Chris [Smalling] have given us self-confidence. We have ten important games ahead of us, they’ll make us understand where we can arrive.

“Smalling played 300 games with Manchester United, it means he is strong,

“His return was important, we are all young defenders and with him we are feeling well. However, if we allow fewer goals it’s not only because of the defence but because we all hep each other.”

The Roma are also waiting for the return of

who is out on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury.

“I’ve known him since we were playing at Fiorentina, he is like my little brother. We miss a player with his qualities.

“We saw him for a few games and he scored that amazing goal against Spal. He is a young player, he is recovering and we are waiting for him with open arms.”