Fonseca: Inter game could be decided by fine margins

Sunday's game at the Stadio Olimpico gets underway at 12:30 CET.

With both sides currently sitting in the top three in Serie A, it is a key league game for the Giallorossi.

Here's what the boss had to say about the contest...

Sunday will be a key game between two big sides that play in different styles – Roma focused on the collective, Inter built more around two fantastic strikers. How have you prepared for a game like this?

“It’s true that Inter have some great players, some incredible individual talent. But I don’t just look at that. Inter are a great team, with a strong collective identity. It might be easy to understand how they will look to play, but it’s still very difficult to deal with.

"Collectively they are great, individually they are too. We have prepared all aspects of this match, keeping in mind their strong points.”

Is Leonardo Spinazzola back? Is he fit enough to start the game?

“He’s recovered, he’s doing well, he’s trained well the last few days and he will start tomorrow.”

Against Crotone both Bryan Cristante and Gonzalo Villar played well. Which one of them is in line to start in midfield tomorrow?

“You want to know the starting line-up again! We will see tomorrow, but I can say that two between [Jordan] Veretout, Villar and Bryan will play.”

You have always said Inter are among the two favourites for the title this season. So if Roma were to win tomorrow, would they be in the mix too?

“I will repeat the same thing I always say: we only go into the game thinking about trying to win it. After that, we will simply focus on the next game.”

Will you thank Antonio Conte tomorrow for having turned down Roma when he did?

“We will have the chance to speak, to greet each other, but not to talk about that…”

What are the key elements required for beating a side like Inter?

“This is one of those games where the small details can win you the match. We cannot afford to make any mistakes. We need to be completely focused in defence and then take advantage of the chances we manage to create going forward. We have worked on all those elements to make sure we don’t make mistakes.”

Who will start in goal tomorrow?

“Antonio Mirante is not fit, he had another knock after coming back to training this week. Pau Lopez will start.”

How is Amadou Diawara doing?

“He’s doing well, he’s training really well. He will have a chance again in the team soon enough, I’m sure. He’s a great professional, he always puts in the work whether he is in the team or not.”

Have you been focusing on the mental aspect with the players this week, especially considering the statistics suggest that Roma don’t do so well against the big sides?

“We have prepared for this game in the way that a game of this nature deserves. The squad is confident and determined and wants to put in a great performance, against a great side like Inter.”

How important will it be not to give Inter too much space in behind?

“It’s true that Inter like to attack the spaces with their two forwards. In Italy a lot of teams use this tactic. We have to make sure we are strong and keep that under control.”

Are you now in a position to reap the rewards of the rotation you have followed in the league and Europa League so far this season?

“It’s a good moment for the team, we’re winning and we are confident. It’s been important that every player has had chances to perform.

"We still need to make sure we manage the players well over the next three months, but the team is doing well physically to be ready for the upcoming games. Because we have a lot of them.”

How much do you miss having fans in the stadium?

“A lot. This is the sort of game where the atmosphere is a bit different too. It would have been great to have them there for it. But I have to say one thing: we still always feel the support and passion of the Roma fans. Whether it is here at Trigoria, or on the street, or when we are on the way to the stadium.”

So, with Antonio Mirante out, who is the back-up goalkeeper right now?

“Daniel Fuzato. He is back and he’ll be with us in the squad tomorrow.”