Ranieri's pre-Juventus news conference

Before fielding questions from the gathered journalists, the coach made an announcement about the club's decision to grant fans access to a training session.

“As we did during the Christmas holidays, before Easter – on Thursday the 17th – we'll train at Tre Fontane. The club and the president wanted to take this opportunity to greet the fans and send them Easter wishes, as we did at Christmas. We're doing it for the fans and for the kids, who won't have school then. So it will be open to children and the fans.”

What sort of Juventus team are you expecting considering the change at the helm? And how are your players looking? Will Zeki Celik and Devyne Rensch be fit for this game?

“Juventus have changed playing style, coach, everything. They'll be more direct and more determined, as we saw against Genoa. [Igor] Tudor has had an extra week to work with the players so they'll be following his instructions better.

“We're in good shape. Celik has recovered. Rensch has too but I don't think he'll make the bench. We'll assess everything properly tomorrow. He's had one training session with us but didn't take part in the training match. So I don't want to risk him. The others are all fine.”

How's Mats Hummels doing mentally? And what's the secret to your recent defensive solidity?

“Hummels was fine after Bilbao too. He was really sorry but he's fine. He doesn't have problems of that sort.

“As for the defence, I think it's down to the whole team. When a team scores or defends well, everyone works hard off the ball, everyone is ready to win it back and defend our goal. I think it's a group effort. All the points we have are the result of great attacking and defensive work.

What was the rivalry like between Roma and Juventus when you were young? And do you feel a sense of revenge towards Juventus given that it was perhaps the most traumatic exit in your career?

“No, not at all. It wasn't a traumatic separation. The truth is not what's been told. I know the truth and the two people who were in charge of Juventus at the time know the truth. It's not what was reported. If I ever write a book, I'll give my version of the truth. Which will be my version of course, but I'm used to telling only the truth. There's no sense of revenge.

“It will be a great game, for the fans, for the coaches and for the players, a vibrant game between two teams fighting to improve their lot. Both have the same chances. Some of you described the run of games we just had as easy and I stressed that nothing was easy. Now we have another run of games which you say is difficult but I think we have the same chances. We'll take each game as it comes, against great teams and great players, and we'll try to play our game.

“I want our fans to be proud at the end. I always say we can win, lose or draw but when we walk off the pitch, the Roma fans have to be able to say, 'They gave their all.' Then we might do well or be unlucky but that's what I want and so far that's what we've done.”

Speaking of the truth, how many lies have you told us in the last three weeks? If you've told any of course. Maybe in some cases you had no choice.

“Are you speaking in general or about a specific topic? In any case, I've told no lies.”

Getting back to the game, will you perhaps need an extra ball player in midfield?

“I need 11 players who run and fight for every ball. Regardless of how many ball players we have on Sunday, we'll need to run and battle.”

Regarding Alexis Saelemaekers' suspension for this match, did you have words with him for picking up a rather silly booking against Lecce?

“He was right in front of me and I told him straight away. He was gutted and I added insult to injury.”

Have you thought about who will play on the right in his place?

“Yes, I have thought about it and... No, I'm joking. I'll decide on Saturday night or Sunday morning as always.”

Roma have struggled against the big teams in recent years. Have you thought about why that is?

“I haven't analysed it like that. Each match is different and each season even more so. There are matches within a match and you have to be ready to read them, work on them and change them. We know that Juventus are a great team. They had a so-so start to the season because they drew lots of games and weren't scoring many goals but they're still up there. We started badly. So it will be a great game. We'll do everything we can to make it hard for anyone to play against us.”

Do you find a player like Manu Kone more enjoyable to watch or frustrating?

“Both. Because he's a fantastic player but he has a lot to learn and to improve. But a 23-year-old who can do the things he does is quite something.”

Has Paulo Dybala's long-term injury altered your plans for the future?

“No, it hasn't changed our opinions, our decisions or our desire to keep Paulo. He's an important player for us and we're counting on him for next season.”

Is Lorenzo Pellegrini enjoying himself again?

“Lorenzo is a top-quality player who always gives his all and I'm counting on him a lot.”

Is the fact that you have the Rome derby after Juventus a factor in your thinking at all?

“No, we didn't think like that when we were alternating between Serie A and Europe. I've always tried to pick the players I believed to be in the best shape. That's what I always say to the lads: show me your physical and mental condition in training. Sometimes a player might be fine physically but not be at their best psychologically. The best shape is when you have the right mix of the two. And having been here four or five months now, I'm quite capable of assessing their condition.”

Evan Ndicka is one of the players with the most minutes in Serie A this season. What is it you like about him? And what can he improve?

“I like him because he's always switched on, always ready. He's good in the air, he's fast, good with his feet. He needs to improve but he's already an excellent player. I talk about him a lot in the dressing room. You guys don't talk about him much.”