Fonseca gives verdict on Kumbulla, Dzeko and more

Coach Paulo Fonseca hosted his first pre-match press conference of the season on Friday afternoon.

The boss faced the media ahead of Saturday's game against Hellas Verona - with kick-off at the Bentegodi scheduled for 20:45 local time.

Here's everything he had to say...

Is Marash Kumbulla ready to start tomorrow? And who will play at centre forward?

“We'll see about the centre forward. Kumbulla only joined yesterday. He'll make the trip with us but he's not ready for the starting line-up just yet. He needs to understand the style of football we play, which is different to Verona's. I'm pleased with him though. He's a smart lad and he's already understanding what I want.”

The Kumbulla signing suggests Roma's strategy is to opt for youth over experience in the transfer market. Is that something you agree with?

“Yes, I like the idea. We're trying to bring in young players but we have experienced players here too. We can mix the two. In any case, I like the idea of having young players in the team.”

Could Rick Karsdorp become a first-team regular or is he an emergency solution until Bruno Peres returns?

“He's not an emergency solution. He'll stay with us this season. We believe in him. He's worked really well over the last few weeks and he's ready to help the team.”

Have you ever put a player in the team two days after signing him, as would be the case with Kumbulla? If so, how did it go?

“I can't remember. In any case, it depends. It's not easy to throw a player in two days before a match, but it could happen if you don't have any alternatives.”

How hard is it to pick the team considering what's going on in the transfer market? Are you happy with the club's transfer dealings?

“This is not an easy transfer window and we don't have much time to get everything done. The club and I are working to find the best solutions for the team. It's true that there will be a few more comings and goings but I'm pleased with what's been done so far.”

Have you decided who your first-choice goalkeeper will be this season? Pau Lopez or Antonio Mirante?

“We'll see tomorrow.”

Regardless of the formation you play, the only full-backs you have are Karsdorp, Peres, Leonardo Spinazzola and Riccardo Calafiori. Is that enough against Verona, who channel much of their play down the flanks?

“[Davide] Santon is available too. Verona do use the wide areas a lot. Karsdorp and Spinazzola are ready to put in a good performance. They can help the team if the rest of the team helps them.”

Will Roma be stronger with Arek Milik joining and Edin Dzeko leaving?

“Dzeko is here with us and he'll be involved tomorrow. There's no point talking about this swap.”

How much have you learnt from Italian football?

“A lot. I'm learning all the time, especially against teams who play like Verona and Atalanta. It's unusual when you face sides who mark you man to man all over the pitch. But last year we did well against Hellas and beat them. We must understand that tomorrow will be a different sort of match but we want to win it.”

Will you play three or four at the back tomorrow?

“We're ready to play with either of two systems. And we could start with one and then switch to the other.”

Verona are one of the most aggressive teams around. The match against them last season was one of those in which Roma had the least possession. Will it be the same this time?

“We're certainly going to find it hard and it will be difficult for us to keep hold of the ball. We need to play out quickly when we gain possession because they react and mark up very fast to win it back. We're going to have to adapt to the way our opponents play.”