Spalletti: This is a chance to show the depth of our squad

The coach was asked a number of questions about team selection, the importance of the competition, and his thoughts on both Francesco Totti and Radja Nainggolan.

See what he had to say in the transcript below.

Will there be a chance to see some players who have featured less tomorrow?

"We've got more than 11 footballers who can play in the starting XI this season. The squad was put together in order to change a few players, without having to use the same guys all the time.

"So we shall rotate during the season, but the fundamental thing is to continue playing good football and try to win matches, which ultimately is the aim."

Where does the Europa League sit in Roma's objectives for the season after being knocked out by Porto in the Champions League play-off round?

"The Champions League is the more prestigious tournament there is. Nevertheless, if we manage to make progress and reach the latter stages of this competition, the Europa League will become equally amazing and exciting."

Roma have conceded 31 goals in their last 32 European fixtures, what do you need to work on in defence?

"We need to improve those statistics, as well as our approach in games. It's true that we have been forced to change a lot at the back and some new signings arrived late, but we could and should have done better all the same. We're working very hard on this actually: we want to sort the defence out because we know how important it is to have a strong and compact rearguard.

"Tomorrow there will be an opportunity to use other players at the back, like Federico Fazio. We have to play him because he's a serious guy and an excellent professional."

Can you say whether Francesco Totti will play, the most famous Roma player for us from abroad?

"He's the most famous player for us too, but I can't tell you anything. It depends on the match how he will be used tomorrow. I have loads of talented players and I can't promise them all that they'll play.

"Francesco is a genius of football. A talent is someone who manages to do things that others can't do, while a genius does things that talent isn't enough to do. It's always a pleasure to watch him play, but the fact of his age remains. This saddens us all but you have to know how to use him properly and this isn't easy."

How is Thomas Vermaelen? Will you continue with the midfield diamond tomorrow as well?

"Vermaelen is available but playing him might have a knock-on effect for the next game. If we give him more time, then I can use him in back-to-back games coming up. The plan is not to start him. Juan Jesus played on Sunday, he did well but got a knock on his heel. Kostas Manolas played the whole game as well.

"I will play Fazio but we'll have to wait and see on the Belgian. If needs be, I can put Vermaelen on later in the contest; it depends on Juan Jesus' fitness. I've still got 24 hours to make up my mind, but the plan is to use Jesus, Fazio and Manolas tomorrow. Let's see.

"As for the team's tactics, we adjusted Roma's play on Sunday and we know how to use the diamond. Based on what we saw, we realised that using the diamond can help us get back to playing as Roma should, exactly like in the second half against Sampdoria. Setting up in a 4-4-2 against Viktoria Plzen will give us width across the middle and we must do well to dominate the game with our style of play.

"We have to see if there will be as much willingness to work hard as what [Daniele] De Rossi, [Kevin] Strootman and [Radja] Nainggolan did last Sunday. In the second half they were excellent at closing down the full backs and winning back the ball. It might seem absurd, but our team ran more in the first half than the second on Sunday. After the break, the central defenders did well at narrowing the gap, if you keep the defensive line high the opposing midfielders don't have as much space to run. You can sit deep with this formation but equally you have to be prepared to work hard and keep the right distance between team-mates so you don't have to run too much."

Reading Nainggolan's comments back, do you think the mood in the squad is easily affected?

"Often you get asked whether working at Roma is different. Yes, it's different. Everything is intense here and feels double what it is elsewhere, so you have to be ready to double the quality you put into the game. Everything has to depend on us. We can't demand anything from our fans, instead we have to find it within ourselves like we did in the second half on the weekend when we showed our true football. Then the fans will get involved.

"Radja also said he was a good player and he showed it. This is what I'm getting at: if when Francesco comes on he lights a spark in the crowd, then my job is to find other players capable of doing this. He's the role model. If we go through the steps like we did in the second half against Samp, one thing will lead to another. That way we'll get the fans on side and they'll give us what they currently only do when Francesco is on the pitch."