Fonseca: No extra motivation needed for a game like this

The match against the league champions, which gets underway at 20:45 local time at the Stadio Olimpico, concludes the first-half of the season for the Giallorossi.

Here's what the boss had to say ahead of the contest...

Juventus are seeking a shift in mentality with Maurizio Sarri – what do you think of how they’re transforming?

“I don’t know a great deal about Juventus’ past, but I know about this phase with [Maurizio] Sarri. I think he’s an outstanding coach – the best in Europe. He’s got a forward-thinking approach to football, which I really like. He may have only begun his work with Juventus this season, but I think he’s putting together a very strong team.”

How is Leonardo Spinazzola doing?

“He didn’t train with the team during the week as he had a virus – he will do today but isn’t in the best shape to start the match.”

Bryan Cristante has returned to the squad – how is he?

“Cristante is ready – he trained with us in recent days. He’s okay, although obviously not fully fit, but he’s ready to be named in the squad.”

Are you considering a three-man defence?

“Let’s see tomorrow – it’s a possibility, as always, but let’s see.”

Some of your rivals are bolstering their squads in the transfer market. Is it a risk for you not to do business in January?

“As I’ve said previously, I don’t really like this phase of transfer activity in January. It’s not easy to find players who are ready to be slotted straight into the team. We need players that we are absolutely certain about and it’s difficult to find players like that in January. This window may be an opportunity to buy players with the future in mind. It’s tough to find ones who can go straight into the team. I’m always talking to [Gianluca] Petrachi about these things – we’ll have to see. It will always be with a view to improving the team. I don’t need players to make up numbers.”

Nikola Kalinic scored his last goal one year ago, on 16 January. Edin Dzeko has scored seven goals. Roma’s rivals have strikers with better goal-scoring records this season. Is this a shortcoming on the part of the strikers or team-mates who aren’t doing enough in your system?

“It’s true that we need to score more goals, but I’m not worried about the number of goals scored by [Edin] Dzeko or any other player. [Nicolo] Zaniolo may have scored more goals than other wide players. When I analyse the team, I look for whether we’re creating chances. We’re an attacking side, which creates lots of goal-scoring opportunities. For me, that is the most important thing.”

The match with Juventus marks the end of the first half of the season. You’ve not won a match against any of the top seven teams in the league. What is missing for you to make that step up?

“I think we’ve always played well against the best sides in the league. It’s true that we lost against Atalanta and Parma, but we’ve always played well, with bravery. I don’t think there’s an issue against these sorts of teams. I’m more worried when we play teams like Genoa or Torino than when we play Juventus, Inter or Napoli. It’s a question of mentality and ambition. I’ve told the players that, although it’s not about attitude, in games like the one against Torino we need to want more. We cannot slip up in these games if we want to get to the top end of the table.”

If you go with a three-man defence, is Mert Cetin or Federico Fazio ahead in the pecking order?

“I won’t be talking about that – I can’t tell you whether we’ll opt for a three-man defence.”

Do all the night-time games in the coming months concern you?

“I’m not particularly worried – it’s something we’ve experienced in previous months. The team has always responded well in periods where we’ve had a packed schedule. January is a big month for us – it’s not an issue.”

How is Justin Kluivert?

“He will be back training with us next week.”

Which of Juventus and Inter do you think are a better team?

“These two teams are totally different in the way they approach the game. I don’t prefer one or the other. Both teams have very strong ideas, which come from their coaches. [Antonio] Conte has a very clear footballing idea and the same goes for Sarri. They are different approaches but I like both.”

On Sunday the team created 31 chances – is the lack of ruthlessness linked to the mentality you spoke about?

“It is in part. There’s a lack of aggression in that phase of play. We’re working to improve on that in matches – it’s the key factor.”

Have you seen the right attitude from the boys this week?

“Yes, they trained very well, but the same goes for the week before and we lost against Torino. For me, it's a game like any other but I don't mean it's not a special game – I know that it is. We must understand that this is a contest where we cannot slip up – we need concentration. But I know that the players are highly motivated and fully focused. I’m not worried when it comes to these kinds of games.”

Are you still counting on Cengiz Under or could he leave in January if a big offer comes in?

“We’re not thinking about that – he’s getting better, physically and tactically. He’s not playing because Zaniolo is doing well, but we’re not looking to switch out Cengiz.”

Compared to the clash with Inter, what defensive approach will you need to take on Juventus?

“The same one. As I’ve already said, in these games you need real defensive rigour. You cannot slip up against teams and players like this. However, we want to defend as we always do: high and far from our goal, while staying compact and limiting space between the lines. We know we’re up against a team that are very good when they find space between the lines. It means we’ll have to be very focused and compact.”

As a coach, do you prefer playing a team who are perhaps less polished and precise in their build up but ruthless in front of goal, like Juventus are now, or a team who are careful in possession, like Sarri’s Napoli side?

“When a coach wants his team to play good football, they don’t diverge. I have no doubt that Sarri is a coach who likes playing good football. That is also Juve’s intention, but the coach only came in this year. The strongest teams, in terms of their footballing ideas, are those that have kept their coaches. Lazio and Atalanta have had their coaches for several years. They’ve maintained their footballing idea in recent seasons. It’s never easy to change. Sarri’s work is only in its infancy. He’s changed Juventus’s way of playing – it’s completely different – and he likes playing good football.”

Do you hope to get high up the table with football and ideas, or do you think investment or a new stadium are also needed?

“Everyone has said this is year zero for Roma. We’re working to become a strong Roma side once again. I think that, in a short amount of time, we’re creating the conditions for Roma to be able to compete with Juventus and Inter. I think this will soon be possible.”

Would you coach Juventus one day?

“I’m not thinking about the future, only about the present. My present is here at Roma and I’m really happy to be the coach of Roma. I’m not thinking about anything else.”