Di Francesco news conference ahead of Roma v Udinese

Udinese will be looking to bounce back from a couple of defeats on Saturday. Is that the biggest danger?

"All matches have potential pitfalls, even our last game, despite the fact that it turned out well. Tomorrow we need to have the same attitude we showed against Verona and Benevento – we need to set up as a team, show a desire to play as one and have that determination. We need to start just as strongly as we have been doing. We’ll be facing a team that is a lot better than the league table would suggest. Their coach prepares for games very carefully and he’s now reaping the rewards of that."

Does rotation benefit the collective?

"It helps when you get results – it’s only a valid strategy when you achieve your objectives. I’ve always spoken about the collective since the very beginning, without ever focusing on individuals. In my eyes, there are no starters and back-up players: we have two players in each position. I’ve ensured that has sunk in for the team and the club – they are all important, all crucial if we’re going to achieve our objectives."

Can changes help you to achieve results?

"That has to be one of our strengths. I think it’s vital. If you can follow it all up with results then it helps even more. If players feel like their place in the team is assured and they know about this dynamic, then they up their focus in every game and every training session. Our team is developing and I don’t say that on the basis of the matches, but from observing our training sessions. Training is really important, because what we try on the training pitch then gets repeated during matches."

Is Radja Nainggolan back for the Udinese game?

"He trained as normal with the team yesterday and has his final test today. If everything goes well, he’ll be in the squad. There’s a chance he might even start the game."
Would you like to see fewer teams in the league in order to make it more competitive?
"That could be an idea, but it’s not up to me to say it. I think that the teams that have earned their place in Serie A fully deserve their chance to compete in the league, but there’s logic in everything. There is a big gap between the two halves of the table – there was last year too. That said, I’m sure that as we get further into the season the difference will be less obvious, because the teams will start to get to know the league better. I should know because that’s what happened with me at Sassuolo a few years ago."

Paulo Dybala and Dries Mertens look like proper match winners. Are Roma lacking a player like that

"I believe we have players with the qualities you need to be able to win games in an instant. Edin [Dzeko] has those kinds of attributes when he shows real desire and works hard for the team. That said, this Roma side is based on the collective. The coach plays a fundamental role in building a team and I’ve always focused on the collective. Players win football matches, but if they do so by standing together then it’s even better."

Is Gregoire Defrel the alternative to Dzeko, or do you see him as a winger?

"Greg was signed as an alternative to Edin, but I’ve often played him on the right for the purposes of the team and as a result he’s not been able to scale the heights because of the type of player he is. Gradually, I’ll bring him back to the centre and then when [Patrik] Schick comes back I’ll weigh things up. I’ve been alternating lots of players recently and that shows that I have fewer guaranteed starters, but that’s normal in this period of the season. Cengiz [Under] didn’t do so well against Benevento after his excellent performance in the Verona game, but that’s to be expected – you have to manage these players carefully."

Do you think Roma are on the same level as Napoli and Juventus?

"I think that we’re a strong team that can compete with Juve and Napoli. They are both looking solid and that’s down to a number of factors, especially the continuity that they get from their coaches. We’ve made a lot of changes, but I’m convinced that we’re making up ground and building up our conviction and confidence. I think this team and the whole club really needed us to win matches without conceding, so those results – paired with the huge improvement we’ve seen – have to give us a boost. The season is long and there are always going to be pitfalls waiting just around the corner, like tomorrow’s game. I hope we’re still talking about a process of improvement tomorrow evening so we can continue closing on the teams that are already competitive, like Juve and Napoli."

Alisson, Aleksandar Kolarov and Dzeko have played every game so far. Are they untouchable?

"I make my decisions on a game-by-game basis, but all three of them will play tomorrow. We’ll see what happens against Qarabag and AC Milan – fitness will play its part too because there’s travelling to be done. I can tell you now that they will play tomorrow. I think it’s the right thing to do to keep exploiting the great levels of enthusiasm and the performances they’ve shown so far."

How is Emerson Palmieri’s fitness?

"He’s gone to Hamburg with [Lorenzo] Pellegrini today to have his muscle tone evaluated. He’s progressing well and both are on track against their expected timescales. As for [Rick] Karsdorp, his muscle problem has slowed his physical development. He’s not in the right physical condition to be involved with the team. It’s a similar situation to the one with Schick – I don’t want to rush them. I want them to train."

How is your relationship with the world outside the club?

"It’s the same everywhere – criticism and praise are there wherever you go. I don’t like it when people pass judgement before you’ve even started: it’s a shame but some things are irrelevant. I’m here to coach Roma, not for myself. I feel like I’m part of the team’s process of development. I try just to let everything else pass me by – you have to have that strength in order to be able to coach in this kind of environment. I think my relationship with everyone is excellent. I feel a lot of warmth from everyone both at Trigoria and in general."

Have you changed your mind about Alessandro Florenzi’s position? Can he be the team’s utility man?

"He certainly can be, without a doubt. My perception has changed – I said that I wanted to be able to work with him in training. I’ve realised that he has incredible ability: he’s able to play in various areas of the pitch and his approach is always the same. For a coach, it’s very gratifying when you know that a player is willing to play anywhere. I know what his ideal position is, but I won’t tell you that. He’s told me where he’d like to play and it’s actually the opposite to what I thought. It’s these situations that help you to grow. I’m delighted to be able to work with him and I’m sure that he’ll give us plenty to smile about."