Di Francesco's pre-Sampdoria press conference in full

The game at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris gets underway at 20:45 CEST.

Journalist: How did the international break go?

Di Francesco: "We had to get the Inter defeat out of our system – I don’t think we deserved to lose based on what we saw during the match. We’ve used this time to work on the mistakes we made in that game. In the second week, the players that came back were a bit tired so we did some work out on the field and some recovery work. Sometimes the international break can be a bit frustrating in that sense, but we know it’s a part of the game so it’s up to us to prepare for it properly."

What worries you about Marco Giampaolo’s side?

"They are a very direct team. When you play a 4-3-1-2 formation it allows you to go for goal quickly. It means you have less width, but you’re more dangerous on first-time balls. They’ve won their first two games and have shown that they can dig in – they did well to stick it out at times in those games. They’re a very well-organised side with a very good coach in the dugout."

What similarities and differences are there between your brand of football and Giampaolo’s?

"We’re both from Abruzzo [laughter]! Jokes aside, we both like to keep the team nice and compact and there are lots of things we’re similar in. I’m always looking to borrow things from other coaches, just like him. He started in the top tier, then dropped down to Serie C before returning to the league where he belongs. He’s a good coach and we’re friends too."

Is Alessandro Florenzi ready to start?

"He may start, as may Bruno Peres, who has recovered from his injury. Alessandro has given me nothing but positive signs in terms of the improvement in his fitness."

Could Maxime Gonalons come in for Daniele De Rossi?

"Daniele is no youngster anymore, so it takes longer for him to recover. Gonalons could play – he’s a player I do see as a starter. He’s getting to grips with Italian football and my way of playing. The biggest problem for him has been the language barrier, but he’s much better now. He may well be in the starting line-up tomorrow."

Did Roma’s transfer market dealings suit your tactical style? Are you 100% satisfied?

"We pushed very hard for [Riyad] Mahrez and Monchi offered more for him than he did for [Patrik] Schick, but Leicester didn’t want to sell so we went for a different player – but a quality one all the same. We wanted a top player so we decided to go for Schick, knowing that [Gregoire] Defrel could play on the wing. That was his original position before I made him into a centre-forward. Given that Defrel had looked good in his first few matches, we decided on a player that could play both as a central striker and on the wing.

"I will tweak things from a tactical and technical perspective for him, but it won’t really change my playing style. Generally speaking, I’m satisfied with our work in the transfer market considering what we achieved and what the club’s possibilities were."

How do you feel about Daniele Orsato refereeing the game?

"I never speak about referees. Often I don’t even know who it’s going to be. Maybe it’s a mistake on my part, but I prepare my teams not to complain about refereeing decisions. In terms of the VAR, on the whole I’m not delighted, but that’s not down to the Inter incident alone. I don’t like all these stoppages."

What do you make of Francesco Totti’s decision to start his coaching course?

"He’s already been in the changing rooms to move the pieces on the tactics board about. We chat all the time – he wants to play a 4-3-3 formation too, so I’ll stick with that seeing as that’s what Francesco has told me [laughter]. Seriously, it’s good that he’s doing the course, because it will help him to figure out what he really wants to do. That’s coming from someone who started out on director side of things and then decided to be a coach in the middle of the transfer window. Whatever he does, he needs to do it with passion and never start feeling like he’s made it."

Does it bother you when you hear other coaches speak about Roma?

"It does actually, because I’m the coach of Roma and I decide what we do, both in terms of our play and in the transfer market. [Giampiero] Ventura’s comments about Defrel might have been a joke, but they could be taken two ways. I’ve not spoken with Giampiero, who I get on very well with, but I’m the coach of Roma and I’m the one who makes the decisions. I should also let you know that Schick had a little problem in training today and it’s very unlikely he’ll be available for tomorrow. We’ll look into it in more detail with a scan later today.

"When Schick has played his best football, he’s always been coming in from the right, so that’s a big clue as to where he can express himself best. Despite his height, he’s very strong technically and really quick. When I first signed Defrel, people told me that he wouldn’t make it as a forward, but he scored 23 goals in two seasons, if not more. Work pays off and it will pay off with Schick too, regardless of his position. He has the potential to do very well indeed."

Might we see Aleksandar Kolarov at centre-back?

"He played several games at centre-back for City last year, but it’s not his natural position. Right now we need him on the left, but we’ll see in case of emergency. If I took him out of the left-back position, who would I put in there? I’m currently only considering him as a left-back."

How would you rate your main competitors in the league?

"AC Milan have done the most – they’ve really strengthened. Juve were starting from a very good base but they’ve strengthened too. In my eyes, Inter are a bit like Roma in terms of transfers. Napoli have maintained their brand of football and kept some great players. As a team, we need to improve in many areas. I saw real improvement against Inter and I think the team is getting to grips with my ideas. We’re moving along. All I can say is that I want to be competitive in all competitions. I’m optimistic and I feel convinced that the only way is up for this team."