Read everything: Fonseca's first pre-match press conference

Coach Paulo Fonseca faced the media on Saturday afternoon, ahead of his first game as Roma boss.

The Giallorossi host Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, with kick-off set for 20:45 local time.

Read everything the Portuguese had to say ahead of the game, as he was quizzed about the club's transfer business this summer, his likely team selections, and much more...

How are you feeling ahead of your first competitive match as Roma boss at the Stadio Olimpico?

“I've already had my first taste of the Olimpico and this will be my first competitive game here. I feel motivated, excited and confident. We'll be playing in front of our fans and they'll be behind us. It's the ideal set-up to begin the season.”

How well have the team taken on your ideas since you joined?

“I'm sure the team has improved. We've evolved over the course of pre-season playing opponents of varying levels. I'm aware that the team is growing and we're ready for the first match. We're at the start of a process and there's still work to do but the team is ready.”

Are you happy Edin Dzeko has stayed?

“Of course I'm happy he's stayed. From the very first day I hoped he would stay with us. I'm pleased he's extended his contract as that's what I wanted. Things have turned out for the best but I always felt quietly confident he would remain. He's a very important player for us and we're all happy that he's stayed.”

Will Gianluca Mancini start against Genoa?

“Gianluca is young and he's developing well. He was used to playing in a different system to what I want. He's improving and I'm pleased with his progress but tomorrow I'm going to start with [Juan] Jesus and [Federico] Fazio.”

Is signing a centre-back still a priority?

“It's no secret that Roma are looking for a centre-back but we're after an experienced head who can improve us. That's not easy of course and I've discussed it at length with [Gianluca] Petrachi. We don't want to buy someone just for the sake of it – he has to improve our squad. We need to think carefully about it because it's not easy to find a player with the attributes we're looking for. We're keeping an eye out and if the conditions are right, we'll sign someone.”

Would you bet on yourself?

“I don't know if I'd call it a bet. I certainly believe in myself and my working methods. I've come here with a lot of ambition and from day one I've believed very strongly that we have an excellent team who can fight to the very end with anyone and make our fans proud. If that happens then we'll pick up results too. I don't need to bet on myself. We're here to work, to believe in what we do and to achieve something special.”

There's been talk of Alessio Riccardi possibly leaving. Would you be prepared to sacrifice a young player like him?

“No one has spoken to me about that – it's never been mooted otherwise I would have been told about it as Petrachi and I are on exactly the same page. Everyone has high hopes for Riccardi. He got injured early in pre-season and he hasn't trained with us much. I need to get to know him better. He's very talented but I don't think it's right to heap pressure on him and liken him to other players. He's young and talented and working hard to improve. As I said, I have to get to know him better.”

Apart from the goalkeeper, tomorrow Roma will start with the same players as last year and without minus [Stephan] El Shaarawy, [Kostas] Manolas and [Daniele] De Rossi. Are you happy with the team you have?

“I'm extremely happy with the squad I have at my disposal. The players have responded well to the work we do on a daily basis and been very receptive to my ideas. I'm happy with everyone.”

It's been said that Patrik Schick might leave too. Why do you think he hasn't been able to express his full potential yet?

“He's vying for a place with an excellent player in Dzeko – that's why he hasn't played so much. He's here with us, he's training and he'll be in the squad tomorrow. Some players need more time to adapt to what I ask and he's probably one of those. However, he'll be ready tomorrow if I need to play him.”

There have been lots of comings and goings in midfield. Who's your ideal playmaker?

“Midfield is going to give me a big headache but in a good way because I have four top-quality players to choose from. [Jordan] Veretout hasn't been training for long due to injury so he's behind fitness-wise but I'm going to be hard pushed every game to pick two players in midfield.

"[Bryan] Cristante has had an excellent pre-season and taken my ideas on board very quickly. He'll start tomorrow. [Lorenzo] Pellegrini and [Amadou] Diawara joined us later but they've clocked on quickly to what I want. They're smart and central midfield is a key position for us.

"Competition is a good thing and it's going to be a struggle for me to pick two starters from the four quality players we have.”

With the acquisition of Davide Zappacosta, will you play Alessandro Florenzi further forward?

“That's one option and one we've tried out on the training ground. It worked well so it's something we could use.”

Do you think Mert Cetin can be part of the squad this year or will he go out on loan?

“Cetin was an opportunity for us – a player the club had seen and taken note of. He has the physical attributes we're looking for. We'll see what happens. He's training with us and he's trying to understand what we want from him. He's one for the future.”

Will Veretout be in the squad for Genoa?

“He hasn't reached peak physical condition yet but he'll be in the squad and if we need him during the game he may come on.”

Did you expect to sign a centre-back before the start of the season? Do you like Daniele Rugani or would you prefer a more experienced player?

“As I've always said, I'm not going to talk about players who don't belong to Roma. Rugani is a good player but he's not here and I'm not going to talk about him. Regarding the centre-back, as I said before, we want someone who can improve our squad, not just an extra player. It hasn't been easy.

"Obviously I'd have preferred to have that player before the season starts – any coach would. I have complete confidence in my centre-backs – Fazio, Jesus, Mancini and now Cetin too – so it's not something that worries me now.”

What sort of player is Nicolo Zaniolo?

“Nicolo is a very good young player with great quality. He's had an excellent pre-season. He needs to increase his understanding of what I want tactically but I'm certain he'll develop into one of Italy's best players. He has to improve tactically but he can become an important member of our team – as he's already shown this summer. I'm very confident about how he will perform this season.”

Some fans are worried about the team's attacking play. How will you deal with Italian teams who sit back and defend?

“Winning is not enough for me – I want my team to be in control of proceedings, keep the ball and play attacking football. I won't budge on that. Knowing what Italian football is like, I know my team will play that sort of football in the majority of games and we must be ready to halt our opponents' counter-attacks. I want us to boss games and play close to the opposition goal. We'll do that most of the time, except when our opponents force us to defend more, but I believe the best way to defend is to keep hold of the ball.”

How is Justin Kluivert coming along?

“He's a young player and one we have great hopes for. He needs to grasp the sort of football we want better but he's improving all the time.”

Aurelio Andreazzoli knows Roma very well. Are you worried about Genoa's forwards?

“We mustn't underestimate Genoa – they're a very good side who are fast on the counter and get the ball up to the front two very quickly. We've studied them and I hope we'll respond well when they counter. We've done a lot of tactical work and I'm sure the team will be ready to take on a very good, experienced side.”

Do you think you need to finish in the top four this season to stay at Roma long term?

“Coaches live and die by their results and it's my job to get results to satisfy the club's ambitions. I know expectations are high but I'm confident. I have a two-year contract plus an option for a third but as I've said before I hope to remain at Roma for a long time.”