Radja: We've got a new playing style

Two days away from Sunday's big clash with Juventus, the Belgian central midfielder revealed that he trusts the instructions the new boss has given the team in training sessions and stressed that they are working hard to put them into practice on the pitch.

"We have a new style of playing and I hope it will lead to some changes – we want to have our say in this league," Nainggolan began. "Spalletti is very clear about the kind of game he wants to see and we're working hard to do that as best as we can."

What has struck you about Spalletti after a week of working with him?

"He is a very determined coach who has a clear style of play in his head. It's not easy to catch onto his ideas straight away, but we are trying to do it as best as we can."

What are you concentrating on in training sessions?

"At the moment, the defensive side of things is taking centre-stage. The focus in attack is very much on individual movements in order to fashion goal-scoring opportunities more easily."

Do you like playing in a more advanced position where Spalletti is deploying you?

"I just want to do a good job for the team so I will give it my all wherever the coach wants to put me. I like this new position because it gives me more freedom and I can get forward in attack. Also I have to press the ball very quickly. I think I can perform better there. Spalletti is very clear on the kind of game he wants to see."

It's Juventus v Roma on Sunday – what does this fixture mean for you?

"It's a special game for everybody. Over recent years, we've competed for first and second place with them. We've dropped off a bit this season, but we're going to put every effort in to have our say.

"It will be a key contest and we are working hard to bridge the gap to them. Obviously it's not just up to us – they have to slip up somewhere along the way as well."

Was the return fixture earlier on this season just an illusion?

"We were better than them at that moment. In contrast to Juventus, we started the season very well and then something went wrong. Right now we're trying to change course, even if the result against Verona wasn't positive. We're trying to find our form again."

It will be a very physical game in Turin, how are you all feeling fitness-wise?

"I think that physically we're doing well. We fell short on the mental side of thing, as I've said. I mean that our legs were pumping without clear direction, we weren't thinking clearly. Once again, we've got a new style of playing now and we want to leave our mark from now until the end of the season."