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Delneri’s side succumbed to a late Ivan Perisic goal in last Sunday’s game at the Dacia Arena, despite an otherwise impressive performance against the Nerazzurri.
Delneri believes his side should take heart from that display – but also learn from it – as they prepare to welcome the Giallorossi this weekend.
"Teams like ours, when playing other big teams, must always keep a high intensity, because otherwise you're not in the game,” Delneri told reporters, when asked about his approach for the game. “We always try to give everything we have in the field. We should try to be better in preserving our energy, avoiding unnecessary waste, and being able to last the full game, better than we did against Inter.
“Roma have won four away games; paradoxically they are now a bit more combative than before, more energetic. However, as all teams they have their flaws, so it would be a waste not to try to play our game - even if it will be difficult against a team equipped to do great things.
“That's even despite their absences. Just look at the quality of substitutes: [Stephan] El Shaarawy, [Leandro] Paredes, [Kostas] Manolas.”
Delneri was asked how he plans to restrict the influence of midfielder Radja Nainggolan – but insisted that there will be no special plan. The coach is also hopeful his side can continue their recent record of keeping strikers quiet when they tussle with Edin Dzeko.
“We have our style and we do not adapt to our opponents, but only enhance some features,” Delneri said. “We did well to restrict the midfielders against Sampdoria in Genoa; and we screened [Ever] Banega well on Sunday. We'll try to do it again [with Nainggolan] tomorrow.
“Dzeko has surprised and impressed me, given how he had been treated before. Spalletti offered him certain things and he is exploiting that with great results. His presence is very important to them. He is a complete player, which I think plays a vital role for the Giallorossi.
“[Mauro] Icardi we held remarkably well, as we did with [Leonardo] Pavoletti, [Fabio] Quagliarella, [Luis] Muriel. We have been shown we can curb similar strikers, but we always need to focus on the hard work and defensive help to continue that.”
The game also sees an interesting clash on the sidelines, with Delneri a former Roma manager and Spalletti having previously been the boss in Fruili.
"Luciano arrived in Serie A a bit before me, but I’ve known him for a long time,” Delneri said. “We grew up together. I respect him so much. We had the same route into the game, although mine was perhaps a little longer. I'm happy for me, and for other coaches like him that have made their way up in this game.
“He is a great coach, who has always achieved important results, most recently the rebirth of Edin Dzeko. What would I take from him? Perhaps only a few years’ age!”
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