Porto boss says side are fully prepared to face 'great' Roma team

The two sides meet in the first leg of their play-off tie at the Estadio do Dragao - with the lucrative prize of a place in the Champions League group stage on offer to the winner.

And Nuno believes his side are ready to give it their all.

“I see this team working every day," he said at his pre-match press conference. "We are confident and sure that we will fight for the match.

"We are fighting for every ball, for every patch of grass. We know we have a tough round to face, but we want to qualify and we want Estádio do Dragão to host matches of the most important club competition in the world.”

The Portuguese tactician acknowledged that the Giallorossi are a "great team" that will have to be respected, adding that Luciano Spalletti's side have been scouted extensively.

“We have a solid and deep enough knowledge of our opponent," he added. "Roma are a great team, full of great players, but they were all scouted. This knowledge will be given to the players and I’m positive they will be prepared.

"This is an elimination round, and we know nothing will be set tomorrow. But we’re not thinking like that, this match may be pivotal. As with any match, we want to win. We know where and when to hurt them, we know we can win and we are eager to do so.”

The coach called on the fans to lift the home side in the first leg.

He added: “The biggest advantage we have for tomorrow is Estádio do Dragão. Playing at home, in front of 50,000 fans, that’s our strength. One of our great objectives is to turn our stadium into a complicated stage for anyone, where no one but us can achieve anything. Tomorrow, the stadium will be our biggest strength.”

Portuguese international Danilo also spoke to the press on Tuesday, echoing his manager's words on the Giallorossi.

“Roma are a balanced team, with plenty of skill, both in the defence and the attack," the midfielder added. "It’s up to us to find their weak spots and go for them.

"The way I see it, their biggest asset might actually be the attack, where they have fast, competent players. We will have to do our best to control them, as speed is one of their features.

“The fact that we have already played an official match and they haven’t may give us some advantage, but that isn’t everything ... we have a great team and I’m sure it won’t be easy for them to play here at Estadio do Dragao.”