Benevento coach braced for Olimpico battle

The Campania side, currently rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table, brought in a number of new players in the final days of the January transfer window – including former Premier League players Sandro and Bacary Sagna.

De Zerbi is unsure if the new arrivals will be in the right physical condition to make an impression against the Giallorossi this weekend and, as a result, knows his side will have to be prepared for a tough game.

“A lot of new players have arrived, in the last few days of the window we worked hard,” De Zerbi said. “In terms of team spirit and understanding it isn’t the ideal moment to take on a great side like Roma.

“But it is another important test, especially given it will be at the Olimpico. We will have to be brave. But we will be ready.”

He added: “We will look at the new guys before Sunday. Sandro, for example has had a few fitness issues, but he is a top-level player, the level of Napoli, Juve or Roma.

“Sagna is pretty good physically, he’s explosive, quick and last year played games for Manchester City. If we can get these sort of guys back to top condition they will be key players for us.”

Whether or not the new arrivals are available to him for this meeting, De Zerbi insisted his side will not go to the Olimpico with the intention of sitting deep and restricting the damage against the Giallorossi.

“I know Eusebio Di Francesco well, he’s a great person and a top coach,” he added. “Hopefully we will not go there and be rooted inside our own box – our desire is to play the same way, always looking to build attacks and take on the opposition.

“We will try this against Roma too. But we have to appreciate the quality of the opposition.”