Di Francesco: The ball will always be a crucial part of my training approach

Di Francesco's Giallorossi reign is now officially underway, as he led training for the first time during the club's pre-season training retreat in Pinzolo on Friday.

The former Sassuolo boss now has a week in the Trentino mountains to impose his football philosophy on his players - and on Saturday morning he spoke to Roma TV to reveal more about he intends to do it.

Read the full interview below.

How are you finding these first moments as Roma coach?

Di Francesco: “In some ways it is the same for me as it was as a player and team operations manager. Some things have changed a lot, though, from the attention and the organisation that surrounds the team and the great following we have here. Much has changed for the better, and I hope we can improve things further. We are working to improve the team and learn what we need to do during this training camp.”

The pre-requisites for good training are here…

"You can certainly work well in Trentino. My mother is from this region, so I know the area well and the kindess of the people. We hope to make the most of this week, it will be a chance to get to know the many youngsters we have brought to the training camp – and maybe some of them will be able to impress and develop with the first team.”

First the training camp, then the summer tour like all the big European teams: how are you finding this approach?

"For me it’s the first time, we have to move around, have to travel and face a number of challenging games. But we knew that from the outset and I will adapt my approach as required. This week is a good chance for me to get to grips with that challenge.”

There has been a new enthusiasm: yesterday for the first training session there were many people here. What do make of that enthusiasm?

“We must be good at keeping that passion, and constantly feeding it with the right approach during these training sessions.”

Yesterday was the first day of training, after a long journey, but you immediately started with the ball.

“I also put myself in the shoes of the supporters a bit. The guys welcomed that small game with real enthusiasm – perhaps a bit too much! With all the fans there, it was right for them to see the players using the ball and running around. I’ve been on the other side so long, I understand how fun it is to play football straight away. My coaches didn’t always do that!”

Along with the ball, you will work a lot on the physical aspect…

“The idea is not to kill the players, the joy of going to the pitch and having fun must never be removed. There is a time for everything, and we will also do some work without the ball – but I like to use the ball and have everyone involved. Today you will see a physical part and a technical-tactical part of training – as we look at the defensive phase. We must make the best use of time, but I will always try to have the ball involved in each session.”

Yesterday we saw this spirit in pushing the players to always go directly for goal…

“This is a squad that has scored a lot, but the players must always have a clear idea in mind: to hurt their opponents. I want to convey this idea to the attackers above all. I want to give them the chance to be even more incisive.”

19,000 season tickets have already been sold. The enthusiasm is there…

“And I’m very happy about that, although we are not a complete team yet. I am convinced that we will replace the players who went with the best. You have to be positive in every respect, it’s crucial for games against the best in the world – and we want to transmit to the squad this mentality.”

Can you quickly introduce your staff?

“Tomei is my assistant, he has worked a lot with me – since my second year as a coach. He looks after the defensive phase and we have a unique understanding: what we say and how to say it and vice-versa. Pierini will scout and work on video analysis alongside Beccaccioli. Stefano Romano is a young guy with a lot of hunger, and he will work on technique with both the young guys and senior players. Technique can always be improved. Nicandro Vizoco is a new athletic trainer.”