Spalletti's pre-Sampdoria press conference in full

Luciano Spalletti sat down with the media on Saturday afternoon to preview this weekend's Serie A clash against Sampdoria.

The game at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris is the third time the sides have met this season, with Roma looking to make it three wins from three against Marco Giampaolo's side.

As usual, the coach began with an injury update - revealing everyone apart from Alessandro Florenzi is available for selection.

Florenzi will begin training with the Primavera next week, as he steps up his rehabilitation.

See the full press conference below.

How much have Sampdoria changed over the last few months under [Marco] Giampaolo and what's their main threat?

"I've got good things to say about [Marco] Giampaolo because I've known him for such a long time. Before Roma played away at Lyon, we had a game at Ascoli and that was a real wake-up call. Even back then, that team highlighted the coach's ability. Being able to beat that Roma side by keeping the ball on the deck was the first sign of his ability. I know him well and I saw the job he did at Empoli, where he consolidated their good football under [Maurizio] Sarri. He's highly thought of by all of the players who have worked under him. Sampdoria are a threat. We've managed to beat them twice this season albeit with great difficulty. We have greater quality and we made the most of a couple of chances. We maximised the ability there is in this Roma side. Their backline are very good at reading the game and that requires a lot of work on the training ground. You need to coach players on timing and developing instinctive habits. It's an awkward period for us as we can't afford to drop points. We must try to win again but we face tough opposition, especially due to Giampaolo."

Samp are one of a cluster of sides who are essentially safe albeit without European aspirations. Could that catch you out?

"I believe the recurring theme for everyone is professionalism. We all have to work hard if we want a bright future. Not big speeches, friendship or give and take - none of that. You have to take work seriously and the players know that. You only live once. To live life to the full you have to grasp the opportunities that come your way. You have to seize the day and not get hung up on what tomorrow may bring. To live life to the full you must embrace the present. I believe that's the case for this group of players too. That's my way of looking at things and I believe the same goes for the players. Give everything to keep improving. Playing with a clear mind could afford them the freedom to play well or see them relax to the extent that they pick and choose when to give 100%. However, professionalism always comes into it."

You've not played a back four since Pescara. You've conceded just twice in the eight matches since. Are you ruing not making the switch sooner?

"If this is our points tally and all of the mistakes we've made have put us in this position, we'll take that. We could also revert to the back four once we have the full squad to pick from. The team needs balance. We'll keep using this system for now because we're pleased we're keeping clean sheets. I've tried to explain it to the defenders too. They have to enjoy trying to keep clean sheets. Dzeko's most recent goal came from a ball in from [Antonio] Rudiger - a cross to the back stick that Edin was able to bury. No one made much of a fuss about the fact that Rudiger provided an important assist. What matters for them is stopping the opposition from scoring. He's not been praised too much for providing the match winner, rather the defence's statistics. We must keep going. We have five centre backs who are top class in terms of their fitness, pace and physique. We need to draw greater attention to this side of the job. Amongst themselves they must think that they don't need anyone's help. We do our own dirty work here."

[Leandro] Paredes has been linked with a move away. Could he leave the club?

"Let's try and be concise. Have I asked for Paredes to leave? No. If however you're wondering about the dynamics of the transfer market or the player's wishes, you need to ask him yourself or talk to the club. I haven't asked for Paredes to be let go."

[Clement] Grenier joined yesterday. How would you class his signing?

"Everything has been said about the player. AC Milan were tracking him to replace [Andrea] Pirlo. His career just waned a touch but I think a club like Roma can quickly sort that out. We have to see him train with his team-mates. I believe we can draw comparisons with [Federico] Fazio. He hadn't played much for a couple of years and he joined here and went under the radar. Then, because he's a big unit, he got himself noticed and has deserved all of the focus on him. We have great confidence in the player. In the space of a few training sessions he will rediscover that buzz and the ability he has in his locker and will be able to play his part."

Are you happy with the club's business in the window or will you ask for further signings?

"I'll make a broader point. At the start of the season you know the January transfer window is for tweaking things but you don't know to what extent you'll use it. In our case, none of our professionals have failed. There's nothing to repair here at Roma. I understand why the press focus on the transfer market but we have faith in our players and our future depends on them. It could be a successful future too. They're the ones that have us sat at the league's top table. We're competing with the best sides and they deserve the credit. I'm happy to stay as we are, let's not touch anything. However, there are certain dynamics to consider. Lots of Roma players are highly sought after. It depends on how the club decides to balance the books. That's the right way to do things and it also comes down to what the players want. We have nothing to repair. We're sorted because the players have done their duty."

How can you handle your obsession with winning with the potential need to sell in the January transfer window?

"I believe you need to work properly when you have to replace a player too. No one is irreplaceable. You have to be able to find solutions when there are clubs with great means but I'm not saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. The first thing to know is which players are progressing and which ones less so. You have to accept and be willing to have these conversations. I think Roma are doing good work but we have a duty to always stay competitive. Occasionally a few players have been let go who could have had a bright future but Roma have always maintained a good level over the last few years. There are other clubs who haven't been competitive to the extent that their name and prestige warrant. At the start of the season, people said we'd have to find other players who could become key players in the team like [Francesco] Totti. If someone wants to leave or there are different demands, you have to find someone else and have confidence in them. That becomes an important attribute. It's not just about having money or friendships - it's the ability to be ready to deal with every awkward situation. It's one thing if the club were stashing cash under the bed. If we need to sell to sort out the books in terms of Financial Fair Play, that's another matter. I'm working well with this club and I see things being done properly. We've got to this stage because the president has made funds available for good players. A move for [Gregoire] Defrel has been mooted. If I had my way, I'd prefer to give more time to the players I'm currently working with."

Has [Leandro] Paredes expressed a desire to leave?

"Not to me. Certain things have been written about my relationship with him since the start of the season but I've never had any problems with him. Leo has trained well, had a few fitness concerns and at times I've picked [Daniele] De Rossi ahead of him. Paredes is the ideal player to sit in front of the back four as a playmaker. He will become a brilliant footballer. The team has played well both with and without him in the side. He has gone the right way about showing what he can do. We have a lot of matches coming up and he will have the chance to play more consistently."

You've said that occasionally you have to raise funds in the transfer window by selling unhappy players. Were you referring to [Stephan] El Shaarawy?

"No, I believe a player's character comes into the equation too. He's not unhappy - that's just the way he is. He played more regularly last season and he was brilliant. He's had less of a consistent run and he's still been great, however he's not able to contribute the same amount coming off the bench. We have the right number of players in the squad and they're the ones who have brought us this far. They're our future - let's show more belief in them. We don't need further competition. I want to give El Shaarawy and Totti more playing time. If I had my way, I'd like to show greater confidence in the players that have got us this far."

Is [Franck] Kessie the sort of player you'd like in the middle of the park?

"Too right he is!"