Luciano Spalletti's pre-Coppa Italia press conference in full

The game at the Stadio Olimpico gets underway at 2100 CET on Thursday.

As usual, the boss began by giving an injury update on his squad.

"Juan Jesus wasn't feeling too good yesterday, but then came in and wanted to take part in training today, but we preferred to leave him at home," Spalletti said. "Antonio Rudiger was feeling some muscle tiredness after a series of intense workouts.

"He'll train today as normal. Alessandro Florenzi is pressing ahead with his return to fitness."

Could tomorrow's match be a chance for those who've played less?

"There are three trophies up for grabs in Italy. Tomorrow's contest is a knockout game. We can't allow ourselves to do any experiments when you don't know what the final result will be. The players not in the side are the same as those who are playing. I've had the fortune of lifting a few trophies in my time and when you raise one above your head, it seems as if there's a whole new life opening up in front of you. You feel more self-esteem, you feel stronger and more confident. Roma have to win, Roma need to win, not for the taste of victory in itself but for the people and their love and affection.

"This club has to capitalise on every moment in its existence. Roma shouldn't aim for the trophy cabinet, but rather work towards constant automatic movement from a good training session to a victory, thus building self-confidence to win the next match. A tackle that gives you strength to go and win the next one, a goal that turns into desire to get two. Perpetual motion. We have watermills in Tuscany; the more water you give them the more energy they produce. We need to do this. We're not in a situation where we can say that those who haven't played a lot need to feature tomorrow. The guys who will get the victory are those who will play tomorrow. We have to be fully professional in every second of our lives at Roma because that's what needs to be done. If the club wants to grow, it needs to do this. Recently we've been on the right track in this respect."

Are you concerned about the fact that Sampdoria are relatively comfortable in the league this year and can focus more on the Coppa Italia?

"The fact there are three sides adrift at the bottom, which means the others can sit more comfortably, is something we should take into consideration. They don't have the anxiety of having to recover lost ground because there aren't too many hidden dangers in Serie A this season. This gives them a slight advantage for tomorrow. Sampdoria are appreciated by everyone who works in the game: the football they play is up there with the best in the league.

"Marco Giampaolo is a friend of mine. In the past there were some doubts about him, but he's got a great squad and if he puts out a full-strength side, they'll bring all their qualities to bear. They move the ball about with intensity in midfield and put pressure on the opponent with the ball, leaving him with little time to think. There's no space to realise what's going on around you. They don't give you any time. We'll have to be strong and prepared to run the hard yards if we want to get the result."

Mohamed Salah said you're obsessed with winning. Do you recognise yourself in these words?

"Yes, we're all obsessed with Roma. We want to give everything we have for Roma. It's all for the club. Our people expect and deserve this. We have to stay professional right until the end. We have to keep making progress on the small things and then we'll see where this team can take us."

If you could write a book, what title would you give it?

"We've just said it: obsession. That's what we're looking for every day. Obsession is the book that we read every day."

Would it be too much of a risk to start Mario Rui right now?

"Mario Rui has been training at a good level for a while. We just need to assess his fitness for a full 90 minutes. He'll feature in the game, whether from the start or off the bench. I just need to see him today and speak with him. He knows perfectly well how to do Emerson's job; he feels at home there. Alisson will play because he deserves it. He shows in every training session that he can play at Wojciech Szczesny's level."

Could Edin Dzeko's mistakes against Udinese be down to tiredness because he's been playing a lot?

"Your analysis on the amount he's played is accurate. It's equally true that I've picked on him a few times. He was a bit shocked and said to me that when I praise him to the high heavens he doesn't see any headlines, but when I say he was a bit soft it appears on the front page. Generally speaking, there's great communication between me and the team, but there's one vital thing we need to have: we mustn't let ourselves be satisfied.

"Edin has put in some splendid performances on a couple of occasions, and he even played very well against Udinese. Unfortunately he missed a couple of chances and that's what hogs the limelight. However, I want to call upon the whole squad not to be satisfied but prime themselves for the best possible result that we can take home. When Dzeko gets two goals but has other chances, I demand that he scores four.

"On Monday after the match against Udinese, I split the board in half and put the current league table on one half and the league table had Roma drew on the other. It looked the same for anyone who's satisfied with their lot because we would have been in second place in either case, but we're talking about a completely different landscape.

"This is what makes the difference for a player with character who wants to grab every situation that arises. In this scenario, it means even more when you win that tackle – it all starts from there. This is how I talk to the whole team; it's not just a message for Dzeko. Edin is a magnificent, splendid, divine player. I want to see if someone uses that as a headline tomorrow."

The race for the title seems back on again. Could transfers have an effect on how it ends up?

"I just need 14 players, like in every game. My players have been brilliant at being prepared to change position and showing flexibility – characteristics that they all have. I'm happy with this squad, I always support the club. If there's a need for some work in the market in order to play by the rules, then OK. Nevertheless, if someone leaves they'll be replaced. If we manage to get Francesco Totti back to fitness, if we can add Stephan El Shaarawy to the mix, if we can have Dzeko showing the character I mentioned before, then we'll be fine. We don't need someone to come and learn the ropes; we don't have time for that.

"They tell me I've lost interest in [Charly] Musonda, but I think he'll become one of the best there is. However, he's not playing. Antonio Conte is the Chelsea coach and we speak on the telephone; he raves about him. Nevertheless, if you take a player who isn't playing and bring him to the Stadio Olimpico, where we need victories immediately, you have to give him some time. We can't afford a second and we won't ever stop trying. It took us four games to take points off Juventus after the defeat in Turin. You have to win every match.

"Every fixture we have is important. Looking forward to the period ahead, I've just asked for one player because one guy has left. I won't send anyone away. Florenzi guarantees you a good performance wherever you put him. I'm waiting for him and I can play him anywhere."

Will any reinforcements you're looking for come from Italy, then?

"It's not always a given that the fact you play in the Italian league is a bonus, but whoever comes in has to know the basics already, to which you could add a few theoretical concepts, and be able to take responsibility and do his job. We're not looking for someone to learn the ropes but a professional who can do things well. If he has experiences it's good, although young players are obviously better for the club in terms of the future."

Could Gregoire Defrel be the right man for Roma?

"There are lots of good players in Italy and Defrel is one of them, but I think that the Sassuolo sporting director has already said his piece on him. We have a team of people here led by Ricky Massara, who reports to the president – the person who invests the money to buy players. If we find what we need, good – otherwise, we stay as we are. We’re only looking for one player: an attacking midfielder or a wide forward. That’s the area. We could perhaps consider back-up for Edin [Dzeko], but that’s it. Don’t ask me for names – ask Massara."

If you win the Coppa Italia, will that be enough for you to stay at Roma?

"I don’t want to speak about that until the end of the season. It’s the players that count and their aim is to put everything they have into achieving results."

How are you planning on managing your squad ahead of the upcoming busy spell?

"You always want to play your best players, but we have lots of them. It’ll come down to how it pans out. You want to pick the players that give you the biggest advantage or fill you with the most confidence. By now, I’m more aware of what each player is capable of. You make your decisions based on both those aspects. On top of that, when a player hasn’t featured in a while you have to consider the psychological side of things, as well as the physical and technical requirements.

"In terms of tomorrow and our coming games, we have no time to waste – every match is vital. We have to win tomorrow. We’re good enough to do well across the board. We have two games in quick succession, but we’ve got a few players back and others – like Mario Rui – is approaching full fitness. We need to win. If we’re not aiming for victory it means we’re mediocre, and if we’re mediocre we don’t belong at Roma."