Fonseca: We're fired up and ready for Napoli

The match at the Stadio Olimpico gets underway at 20:45 CET.

Here's what the Portuguese had to say going into the game...

How much of a difference could the different preparation paths the two sides have had for this game make on the game itself? Roma just got back to Trigoria yesterday, whereas Napoli have had the whole week…

“We are ready for this game, we have rotated a few players. I don’t want any excuses. The players are motivated and I’m expecting a good performance.”

Does that motivation come from the fact Roma are the last Italian side left in European competition this season?

“Yes, the team is in a good mood after getting through. But now we have to stop thinking about the Europa League and focus on Napoli, because tomorrow’s game is really important for us. What we’ve done so far in the Europa League is a cause for encouragement, but we need to make sure we focus on the league for now.”

Do you think Roma are better suited to European games than some other Italian sides?

“I think that’s a concidence. As I’ve said before, Inter got to the final of the Europa League last season.”

How are Chris Smalling and Jordan Veretout? Will Smalling need an operation on his knee?

“There won’t be any operations for Smalling. We are managing his situation on a day-by-day basis. Neither of those players will be available tomorrow, but their recovery is going well and I’m sure they’ll be back training with the squad shortly.”

The spine of the side in Kiev seemed to be held together by Bryan Cristante and Borja Mayoral; can the strategy change in just two days, or will both players continue in the starting line-up?

“This is a question designed to work out what the team will be tomorrow. You’ll have to wait 24 hours for that.”

The club has not yet decided if you will be the Roma coach next season – does that uncertainty weigh on you?

“No. As always, I am focused on the here and now. And that means tomorrow’s game.”

Will Roma go into tomorrow’s game tired physically, or fired up psychologically?

“The win over Shakhtar – a really tough team to beat – should give the side confidence. We are ready to face Napoli.”

How much of a blow is it to get to this point of the season without Veretout, Smalling or [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan available?

“As usual, I can’t think about the players I don’t have available to me – I can only think about those who are available and, after that, about making sure those other players are back as soon as they can be. I think those players will be available again after the international break.”

Going up against a side that want to win the ball high up the pitch, are good on the counter-attack and can create chances from open play – are you thinking of tweaking your approach?

“We have a strategy for each game, but we don’t change our overall identity. We want to be the side that dominates the ball and looks to make things happen.”

What sort of Napoli side are you expecting to come up against?

“I don’t like to talk about other teams. But I expect a really strong Napoli side – they won against AC Milan – that will want to take possession and dictate the game, but who also defend really well too.”

Is Cristante’s willingness to do whatever is needed for the team an example of what you want from the squad as a whole?

“Cristante is playing really well as a central defender and has also played in a few other roles – as have other players when we’ve needed them to. That is the attitude that we want to see from the players.”