Spalletti's pre-AC Milan press conference in full

The game against Vincenzo Montella's side kicks off at 21:00 CET on Monday.

As usual, the coach began his press conference by discussing the injury status of his squad.

"Yesterday Bruno Peres was training on his own after bruising his left thigh but was back with the squad today and everything's fine," Spalletti said. "Kevin Strootman and Thomas Vermaelen were working with the group, while Alessandro Florenzi, Mohamed Salah and Leandro Paredes continued with their recoveries.

"The bad news is that Francesco Totti has a fever after coming down with a stomach bug. He won't get better in time for tomorrow."

Psychologically, is it difficult to prepare for this game after the derby?

"I'm taking a different approach. This league is always difficult: we've dropped points where we shouldn't have and have picked them back up against top sides. The fundamental thing is concentrating on the here and now; we can't look into the past or future. We're in the present and right now we have to take maximum points.

"Focus on the moment you're in. If you manage to live in the present, you realise that it's much easier when moving towards the final objective and, in particular, you'll experience your life and profession with more intensity and joy. We have to give equal weight to every fixture, without digging up the past or thinking too much about the future."

When asked who he'd take from Roma, Vincenzo Montella said Luciano Spalletti. Who would you take?

"Montella. Roma is where he belongs: the Stadio Olimpico is his home. He'll definitely come back one day and be a fantastic coach at this club. As he rightly said, it's true that Roma have been built to win while AC Milan haven't. The fact that they're up there with Roma in the league is evidence of the coach's ability. What I'm doing is normal; what he's doing is extraordinary.

"Between us two, he's the better one right now. He'll become an even better manager. I also read that he has forgiven me, which was nice to see. It's easier to think like a parent when you become one yourself. He'll have two or three guys who will forgive him in the future."

What are Milan's tactical strengths?

"They play in the image of their coach: possession, moving the ball about, good collective spirit and playing as a team. That's what he needed when he was playing. He didn't want to get on the end of long ball but have the team set up in the opposition's half of the pitch, so when the right moment came he'd take the ball and do it all himself. He's brought his playing style to his coaching career, based on pace and quick-thinking. He was slick and canny as a player and he's the same as a coach. It will be a great match: both teams will aim to force the issue and are equally capable of winning."

A lot has been spoken about Strootman. How has the player managed this situation? Has he been able to put it behind him?

"He already has put it behind him, in that we've dealt with the derbies in 2016 so we'll talk about them again in 2017. As I was saying before, we only care about tomorrow evening's contest. All our focus is on that game."

Would a Roma win make them the ‘anti-Juve’?

“We want to be the team that beat Milan. The game against Juventus isn’t until next week. We only have the upcoming game to think about. Anything can happen tomorrow; we don’t know what the day after that holds either. It’s key to our identity and our league position. We want to win, without doubt. We are built to win games, but we’ll see how it pans out. Talking about future opponents makes no sense if you don’t perform here and now. We must beat Milan now, absolutely.”

The Olimpico will be pretty full, with more than 40,000 in the crowd. Could this be an advert for Italian football?

“Yes. The Napoli game today was too, because of how well they performed. The recent games show that there are a lot of teams vying to be near the top of the league, all of which play nice football. Our game is indeed developing. It’s of a high level and the game tomorrow will be an enjoyable one.”

Roma are a more physical side now. Do you prefer the more fast-paced set up of the previous season or the current team?

“I think you have a more complete team with a bit of physicality. Being able to achieve your objectives with the ability to play quickly, and with the ball on the ground, has its virtues. Physicality gives you a lot too. Dead ball situations decide a lot of games. There are lots of ways of going about things, and which work. If you can combine a larger number of elements, there can be benefits.

"This year, that little bit extra we have is what Edin [Dzeko] gives us. When he came to speak to me, I always said that I saw my Roma side with him in it. He is a strong and physical target up front, who can hold the ball. He’s able to combine physicality with technique. Last year we were more compact. In both cases there are pros and cons. I prefer the team like this, with a bit of physicality in there. For example, the game in Bucharest could have been decided by a lumped ball forward, a physical presence. Without that physicality, sometimes it’s difficult in such games for a team to come out on top.”

Roma have scored more than two times as many goals in the second half of games. Is that a feature of the team or a footballing idea you have?

“No. It can be dangerous. I’d rather go ahead as soon as possible and be able to manage the game while leading. We still don’t yet have an identity which is strong enough, in my opinion, and we need to find that as soon as we can. We have a chance to show our brand of football, but until now it hasn’t been fine-tuned. We’ll get there as soon as possible.”

Will the way things pan out against Milan and Juventus have an impact on what business you do in January?

“I don’t think Roma are attached to results in and of themselves. The team always wants to improve and to grow stronger. It’s not like we take apart the swimming pool in Trigoria just because we lose a game. The President is implementing what he hoped to do when he arrived. Roma have to be stronger; everyone who works here will do their best to make Roma better, including in this transfer window.”

Which team are favourites going into Monday’s game?

“We are the favourites. We’re at home and we’re built to win; they are not.”

Ten days have passed since [Mohamed] Salah got injured. Do you think he’ll be back before the African Nations Cup?

“I’d say that even if he could play just 20 minutes, I’d bring him along tomorrow. I’ve not resigned myself to anything. All the assets I have in my hands, and whether that changes between now and the game, will be available to Roma.”