Luciano Spalletti press conference on Roma v Fiorentina in full

What are you most wary of when it comes to Fiorentina?

“What they’ve been doing for 3-4 years now, plus what Paulo Sousa has brought. I was reading the interview with [Milan] Badelj this morning. He said they’ve created a work of art and that’s true. They play a modern, exciting brand of football, they’re a tough, solid side and they know they have real potential. If you analyse the group of clubs which includes Fiorentina, they’ve done the best work out of them.”

Will [Radja] Nainggolan and [Miralem] Pjanic be available for selection?

“Pjanic and Ninaggolan are available. Iago Falque has a spot of fever and it’s unlikely he’ll train today. [Daniele] De Rossi is continuing his recovery programme and won’t be in my squad.”

How likely is [Edin] Dzeko to start tomorrow?

“There are still some things I need to weigh up and I’ll take as much time as I can on this occasion. He did well off the bench against Empoli, he’s looked good in training but so have the team as a whole. I can’t answer your question at this moment in time.”

Do you see parallels between Roma and Fiorentina?

“Yes, they’re similar sides because both try to control the tempo with lots of ball-playing midfielders and the ability to read the play. They’re good at everything, anticipating how the opposition will set up, with the flexibility to move the ball as a three and defend with four. They’re able to threaten and get the edge based on how their opponents approach the game. We’ll need to be better than ever against them. While they believe they have created a work of art, I must say my players have produced a masterpiece – in turning things around, taking on board a new approach, having belief and the mental strength to think that they can compete until the end of the season, without getting hung up on a result or performance.”

How can you address the situation of the half empty Stadio Olimpico? It’s not a question of results...

“I agree and, given that I’ve already spoken many times on the subject, I hope common sense prevails from those managing the situation. We felt great at Empoli with terrific support from our fans throughout the 95 minutes and they probably helped us react to the equaliser. The team were solid and had the right approach. Everyone who was at Empoli contributed to that.”

How similar are [Nikola] Kalinic and Dzeko?

“Dzeko and Kalinic are a bit different. Kalinic is better at driving into the space behind the opposition defence. He attacks the backline well and is good in front of goal. He knows what his job is and doesn’t get distracted. Dzeko has just as many strengths but prefers to receive the ball into feet with his physique. He likes to peel off to the back stick and wait for service. Kalinic meanwhile tends to attack the near post. Dzeko joined with a big reputation, whereas those who brought Kalinic in showed great foresight to see his potential. They backed him and he’s repaid them.”

[Nicolas] Burdisso claimed Roma isn’t conducive to training well. How tough is it to train there?

“I sadly haven’t spent much time with Burdisso, about a week all told. I tried my best but I don’t think I managed to show him everything in the space of seven days. I’d like to work with him again, he’s a top player and he would have no doubt given back as much as I would have tried to offer him. I’ve always been of the opinion that this is the perfect place to work. In life there are those who do, those who don’t and those who latch onto the doers – in order to stay at a good level they do the minimum required. People know what they’re doing here. Those without ideas, those who don’t want to progress, those who are afraid of others and those who don’t want to better themselves need to leave. We have to improve. I could have stayed put but I’ve come back. I’ve been lucky in life, I can choose what to do and I manage my own time. The reason I’ve come back here is because people work well and I enjoy working here. We’ll show you that’s the case. The lads are on the right track. If they lend us Burdisso for a week, he can come and train with us and we’ll show him how we operate. Everyone here is a professional in their area of expertise. We all want to give everything and those who can give 10 need to get to 12. We have to reach for the stars.”

Were you able to talk with James Pallotta?

“I said hello and we had a chat. He seemed happy, full of enthusiasm and ready to show what he’s about. He came to speak to us before our technical meeting – he chatted with the players, watched training and was with us in the dressing room. He’s got bags of enthusiasm and desire and that matches up to what’s been said thus far. He’s right to want to keep improving – you always need to be brave enough to push yourself. He always finds stimuli and incentives.”

Can Edin Dzeko help to neutralise Fiorentina’s high pressing game?

“They’re sure to come out to press us and they’ll be able to change their style according to the way we play too. In Florence they’ve spent months discussing whether Fiorentina play with a three-man, four-man or five-man defence – it shows they have a great coach capable of mixing the team up during a match. They have great flexibility and interchangeability. They have two fantastic midfielders sitting in front of the defence in Milan Badelj and Matias Vecino, there there’s Borja Valero, Federico Bernardeschi, Nikola Kalinic, Cristian Tello, Josip Ilicic… They have lots of top players and they’re managing to turn the quality of their players and coach into end product. Playing long balls up for Dzeko is something we could adopt and something we did at Empoli – we’ll keep it in mind and tomorrow we’ll see what happens.”

You’ve spoken about a variety of topics since you returned to the club. Would you like the club to get behind you a bit more?

“The other day we did the official photo. I had about thirty people from my team there, another thirty players, plus all the photographers – they’re all behind me. They help me and suggest ideas so I’m in fantastic company with a big team around me. We have more than one team here at Roma and the players on the pitch benefit from the work of all those teams. All the others teams are here preparing from morning until night – I’m behind them and they’re behind me. I take footballing decisions only. I just want to do my job and if I have to say something that applies to that then I will because I’m accountable for the results.”

Will the fact that Roma have had two days’ more rest than Fiorentina play a part?

“In three or four days we take on Real Madrid, who played yesterday, but I’m not going to say my players are more tired than theirs. That would be making excuses. You play matches when they’re scheduled – we need to make sure we’re ready for them. We have to play our game for the full 90 minutes and not be hung up on the fact we’ve had a day’s rest less. It comes down to mental strength. We need to win on Tuesday if we’re going to get through – that’s the only thing we’re focused on.”

Are there similarities in Federico Bernardeschi and Stephan El Shaarawy’s development?

“Bernardeschi and El Shaarawy are similar players and both have fantastic potential. In all things, there is a start point and an end point – it’s the bit in between that counts. If you want to analyse what you’re doing – every challenge, every duel with every opponent – and if you react in the right way then you have a chance of getting to the finish line in a better position than when you started. Both players are doing that thus far.”