Spalletti confirms Strootman will start against Genoa

Luciano Spalletti left no room for doubt in his press conference ahead of Monday's game against Genoa: Kevin Strootman will be in the starting XI at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

"Strootman is going to start against Genoa," Spalletti said. "He's ready."

The coach revealed that he had been convinced by the midfielder's desire to prove himself against Genoa and also underlined the Dutchman's importance for the club's future.

"We're all relying on him for our future and tomorrow he will begin to show us all that he's up to the challenge," Spalletti added.

The Giallorossi No.6 initially injured his anterior cruciate ligament during a game against Napoli in March 2014. He made a short-lived comeback between the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 but was then forced to stop again and go under the knife on a further two occasions.

After 392 days away from the game, Strootman returned to competitive football as a substitute in Roma's 5-0 win over Palermo on February 21 – his only appearance so far this season.