Di Francesco on Udinese game: Schick will start, attitude will be key

The game at the Stadio Friuli gets underway at 15:00 local time.

Di Francesco gave his view on the opposition, along with updates on a number of injury issues.

How are the players looking after the international break?

“I saw some of them for the first time today. We managed to do a bit yesterday but apart from the lads with long-term injuries generally speaking we're in good shape.”

Will the fact Udinese have a new coach change anything for you with regard to tomorrow's game?

“I expect they'll be really up for it but they were playing well before – they got less than they deserved against AC Milan and Empoli. I know how Davide Nicola works and I've faced him several times: he pays attention to all the small details.”

Will Daniele De Rossi and Diego Perotti be sidelined for longer than first thought? How are Aleksandar Kolarov and Davide Santon doing?

“Kolarov is fine. Santon had a temperature yesterday but he's over it now and trained with the team. De Rossi and Perotti aren't out for longer than expected but we've sometimes hurried players back in the past – [Javier] Pastore, for example, and Diego too. The idea is to have Perotti back after our Champions League match [against Real Madrid] and Daniele before or after Cagliari – that's the general idea. That's how long it takes to get certain players back to fitness. I don't want to put out players who are half-fit. [Kostas] Manolas isn't 100% and he won't be in the squad. We'll try to get him fit in time for the Real game.”

How do you make sure the team is focused right after the international break? The last two times Roma drew with Chievo and lost to SPAL.

“What increases your focus is the fact that some people are already thinking about Real Madrid. I think the most important game of our next three is this one. We must get our approach right. We've got off to a bad start after the international break on other occasions but that mustn't be an excuse. We're expecting a very tough, physical game and that's what we've prepared for.”

Robin Olsen has said he's still angry about the penalty awarded to Fiorentina. What do you think about the new VAR protocol?

“If it's applied correctly then it's good. People want to improve it. Sometimes when VAR is used decisions are taken which seem subjective and some of the mistakes made have been admitted as such. We have to look forward and not think about certain situations – excuses change little. We must have faith in the job referees are doing. They're improving in lots of areas.”

Patrik Schick scored a great goal on international duty that came after he'd pressed the opposition in midfield. How much of that is down to what you ask of him? How is he developing?

“Schick will start tomorrow. He's been looking good both for Roma and his national team. We've been working with him and the coach's role is of relative importance when the player is keen and puts in the effort. He's improving. He's had a few dips but he's really determined to come through it and I hope we'll see further improvement tomorrow. People made his lob out to be a goal of the season contender so I told him it was a normal goal when he came back. Regardless of how good a goal is, they're all good for you psychologically.”

How did Schick respond to your quip?

“He smiled. He knows he's got that sort of goal in his locker. He scored and it's right to congratulate him on it, but we also need to tell him it's not enough – consistency is important. He should be scoring. How he does it doesn't matter.”

Is there a chance we might see [Rick] Karsdorp back in the team?

“He's been training very well. He was out for a month and he's done a week but not full sessions. He's in my thoughts but he's not ready to start yet. I've been impressed by the way he's been training recently and I'm very happy with him physically and mentally since he began training with the squad again.”

How do you manage this crucial period of the season?

“We keep talking about this or that period of the season being more important but I don't think any period is less important than the others. It's crucial that we focus on this game and we must go into it in the right frame of mind. That doesn't mean we'll necessarily win but our approach must be right. I'm placing a lot of importance on this match.”

Could Santon play at left-back?

“Santon is more likely to play at right-back. Kolarov will be on the left. Luca Pellegrini has struggled with an ankle injury and hasn't been able to train much with the rest of the team.”