Di Francesco: We have to get back to being the team we saw in the Champions League

Di Francesco's side finished the first half of the season with a disappointing run of four games without a win - far and away their worst run of form of the season so far.

And the coach acknowledges that the break is a chance for everyone to reset and refocus.

“We wanted to reach the break with a different run of results,” Di Francesco said. “Unfortunately it did not work out like that, but this week gives us the chance to refresh ourselves not only physically but mentally too, and rediscover the focus and confidence we lost in the last few weeks."

He added: “It has been 20 disappointing days but I don’t want to forget the good things we did before that. We must return to how we were the month before."

Di Francesco added that he knows the responsibility is on him to set the tone, once the players return to training after the break.

“Above everything I expect motivation and enthusiasm to go and rediscover the right path, which we were on," he noted.

"But the one who needs to be fired up first of all is me, trying to get in the heads of the players and making it clear that we cannot be the side that played a first half like that against Atalanta, but the side that finished first in our Champions League group and has given – and will continue to give – huge problems to all the sides currently ahead of us.”

The boss was also asked about the current situation surrounding Radja Nainggolan, after the midfield was left out for the game against Atalanta for disciplinary reasons.

“Nainggolan was the first to apologise,” he noted. “He sat in the stands alongside our directors [for the game against Atalanta]. It was an ethical and morale decision for us, after what happened.

“But he has always been part of the group, he just wasn’t in the squad for that game. He has always trained with the squad and he will start against Inter.”