Spalletti press conference in full on the eve of Roma v Inter

"I'll begin with a general update. [Kostas] Manolas has trained a fair bit. [Leandro] Castan will train today for the first time after a nasty bout of flu. [Francesco] Totti had a hip problem and returned to work yesterday. He'll train today and will be available for selection. [Norbert] Gyomber is out, he's not yet fit."

[Lucas] Digne, [Miralem] Pjanic and [Radja] Nainggolan are all a booking away from suspension. Will that affect your team selection?

"We have a big enough squad to cope with potential bans. The number of bookings a player has will have no impact on who I pick tomorrow."

It's a must-win game for Inter. Do you expect them to set up to attack?

"In every match I've seen of theirs, Inter have tried to take maximum points, even more so tomorrow as they're aiming to take our spot in the table. We did the same as them when we were five behind them."

How's [Daniele] De Rossi? Could he start in midfield or at the back?

"You can consider Daniele in any area of the park. He has all the attributes required of a top player and he's experienced too. What's crucial is his willingness to play both at centre back and in midfield. He will be considered in both of these positions, while keeping in mind the rest of the team."

Will you stick with [Edin] Dzeko or opt for a more mobile front line?

"We'll take all the time we have to make a decision on that. Both solutions work. We'll finalise the team in today's training session and the time we have before the game."

What have you made of the communication between [James] Pallotta and Totti and how that's been handled?

"If we're not careful, we could play down one of the most important moments in the club's history. It's wrong to simply listen to the opinion of any old person. I think we're right to shield, screen and protect this situation to give the two key players time to clarify it. You can't analyse it by using statistics like the number of minutes he's played. The right approach is for them to meet, talk and reach a decision that suits both Totti and the Roma president. We'll then act accordingly. Both of them have to come away happy. I'll stop talking about it and it's only fair you do likewise because you're detracting from its importance. They have to meet given their important positions. No one should interfere but them."

After watching Bayern Munich v Juventus, how far away are Roma from being competitive at that level?

"If I have to try and improve something for Roma, I look at Roma, not Juventus. It was a great game between some incredible players with a top-level mentality at both clubs. I'm pleased with what my team are producing. You can improve on everything, you have to be open-minded to find things and values that you can use to drive you on towards your goal."

Roma v Inter is a repeat of the great Spalletti v Roberto Mancini tussles. Does that excite you?

"I get excited every time Roma play. Roma always get my juices flowing whoever we play against. Clearly Inter gives it that extra spice, they're a big club with a great coach and top players and we have had some big games in the past. Both sides share the same target and I hope my players are at the level required for such an important match."

How should we interpret the fact that there might only be two Italians out there tomorrow?

"It depends on the point you're trying to make. The world is a more open place and you always have to be on a par with what's being done elsewhere if you want to improve. It's not always a good thing to have a provincial mindset. There are Italians playing and performing very well abroad. I believe the solution is always to open up and show what you can do. If I'm good simply because I bring the others down, we'd be better off with someone replacing me."

Going forward, would you be strong enough to oppose potential player sales?

"What I discuss with the president remains between us and I won't share it with you. I'm focused on our remaining games this season. Clearly when we think about now and the end of the season we have to show all our ability in the matches we have remaining. All that matters to me is tomorrow night's match. We really must stay the course in this position. We have to hang onto it and potentially even aim higher. We like pressure, we'll take it. Some people are happy in fifth for example, whereas I'm here on a daily basis to try to improve everything relating to Roma and I like looking forward."

You've been linked with the Italy vacancy. Is that something you've ever worked towards?

"I like this job. I tried to take a bit of breather but then I got sucked back in. Plus when I do the job in a place I like, I love it even more. It's all very well and good planning when you're relaxed, with your feet under the table, but now my focus is on one thing only. I don't want there to be any doubt as to what I'm focused on at this moment in time. I'm not looking beyond finishing third. We need to finish third at least and as close as possible to the sides above us in case they drop points."

Once again there'll be no one in the Curva Sud tomorrow night. How can we move beyond this situation?

"I think it's crucial someone like [Prefect of Rome] Franco Gabrielli has shown he's open to dialogue. We have to make the most of these openings and show less pride and revenge, which can be quite typically Italian. I believe that if people want to, we can find a solution together. I think the powers that be are acting with common sense and we're not far off a resolution."

How pleased are you to have had such a big impact on the players' performance levels?

"One of the most satisfying aspects of my job is the changes you see in training - when I see the lads buying in to what we're doing, ready to graft, open to new ideas and eager to throw themselves into a challenge without getting hurt. It's a shame I wasn't able to work with top stars like [Seydou] Keita and Maicon earlier in my career."

How's [Kevin] Strootman? Is a three-man defence only an option with De Rossi?

"Strootman is improving all the time. He's making more tackles and getting fiercer all the time. You're right with your comments about his facial expression. In training he fights for every free-kick, every goal, it's incredible. It's a sign that he's very close to rediscovering all of his attributes. Obviously he needs actual game time, real-life match situations. He has to compete with the rest of the squad who are playing very well. Daniele can play both in midfield and defence and we can operate with a three-man backline without him as we've shown."