Shop
The Giallorossi have secured four wins in a row in all competitions in recent weeks - but face perhaps their toughest test yet on Sunday night at the Giuseppe Meazza against Vincenzo Montella's side.
"This game will tell us a lot. We must be brave and determined for 90 minutes," Di Francesco said. "This game won't decide everything, but it will be important to remain in touch with the top of the table.
"We have improved in a lot of ways during this 'mini-cycle' of games. I am happy with the improvement of the squad, but we must continue to get better over the next games."
The boss has asked how significant a victory at San Siro would be, given the current dynamic within Serie A.
"Winning in Milan would simply mean the headlines in your newspapers the next day will read 'Roma are here'," he said. "We want to see this, it's what we want to do and it's the right ambition to have.
"We are working to stay close to the top. We need to play with a mentality, without presumption, but with confidence in our ability to get the three points against a good side.
"Everyone is expecting a lot from us and wants us to do well tomorrow, it's a key one for our ambitions and our pursuit of something more this season."
Imperium Partners
Centurion Partners
