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Read what he had to say below.
How is Paulo Dybala doing? Are there any opportunities in the free agents’ market and could Anass Salah-Eddine be brought back into the squad?
“Nothing out of the ordinary. The tests didn’t show anything. He’ll be training today. The important thing is that he feels confident and comfortable because we’ve got three games this week. They’re all important fixtures and we need to be on top form. As for the free agents’ market, I think it’ll be difficult. I don’t know what the possibilities may be, but I wouldn’t count on it too much. Salah-Eddine has had a lot of opportunities, all of which he’s turned down. As for Roma, I’ve already made my choices and he’s not part of my plans.”
Donyell Malen is on fire. He’s been compared to Gonzalo Higuain, but where can he improve?
“He’s fine as he is, come on! Has he scored any headers? Maybe not. That’s missing from his repertoire. He’s scored with both his right and left foot so let’s see (laughs – ed.)”
Is this the first real test to see if Roma have gained the experience needed to hold their own in head-to-head clashes?
“Rather than a test of maturity, which this team has already shown it possesses, it’s a test of strength and quality. With the fixture list, we’re facing lots of top-of-the-table teams in the first 10-12 matchdays. I’d also consider Fiorentina as a quality side and winning away at Lecce is never easy. In the coming matches we’ll face not just Atalanta but also Inter, Como, and Napoli. In short, we have all these matches in the first half of the season, as well as the Champions League. That’s fine, it’s a journey and we’ll take it one step at a time, starting tomorrow when we’ll face a team of the highest calibre who have made a strong start. It’s a match that could decide our European fate.”
How is Rodrigo Mora coming along? Do we need to get used to these ups and downs and the competition with Matias Soule?
“He’s played two games in two. Whether he’s in the starting XI or on the bench, it’s not that someone who starts is a starting XI player and someone that gets subbed on is a substitute. It’s true that he’s young but he’s already shown he’s talented in the games against Fiorentina and Lecce. He’s very young and has plenty of room to grow in terms of his physical condition, stamina and endurance. We’re dealing with a player of exceptional quality – that’s hard to deny.”
Can we expect any changes, or can we expect them for the third game this week?
“We need to take it match by match. It’s true that these games are all close together but it’s impossible to predict what will happen on the pitch. We’ve gone months with no injuries, but when you start playing in the league and then the Champions League too, a few players are bound to pick up knocks. We just have to hope they’re not serious injuries. You can plan to rest one player or another, but it doesn’t always work that way. What I try to do is if someone is tired, I’ll bring on someone who’s in great form. Some decisions are made with that in mind. We can’t always say that a player has had a bump. But when there are longer-term injuries, there’s not much we can do.”
Has Evan Ndicka recovered? Can you say anything about Lorenzo Pellegrini’s recovery?
“Ndicka is a lot better. I think he can play. We’ll try him in training today. Pellegrini? He’s started to work with the group a bit. As for playing a match, maybe against Inter or after the break.”
Will you be discussing a future together at dinner with Francesco Totti?
“Absolutely not. I feel free to spend time with people that share knowledge, stir my emotions or who I just enjoy being with. There’s no ulterior motive. And it’s a freedom that I allow myself.”
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, you mentioned that for many years Atalanta finished above Roma, then you arrived and Roma finished above them. Are you the deciding factor or have the two teams changed?
“Atalanta have improved over the years and have finished above not only Roma, but several other teams as well. There have been many close encounters in the last few matchdays that have determined the league table, a bit like what happened last year. The coach plays a part, but it is always the complexity of the environment and the team that makes the difference. The team was exceptional last season. We were always close to fourth place, but the end of the season determined the outcome.”
In the deal to bring in Marten De Roon, a player you know very well, following Neil El Aynaoui’s departure, was there also a sort of safeguard for Niccolo Pisilli?
“Pisilli is well ahead. He’s matured, gained self-awareness, he’s grown and he’s a strong player. I’ve got four players there. I don’t do hierarchies. De Roon, [Leonardo] Balerdi and the new signings need to get into peak condition. They’ll come on for spells, and we’ll probably see them play a full game after the international break because they haven’t been here long. Pisilli, [Manu] Kone and [Bryan] Cristante are solid – there’s no hierarchy there. If someone’s fatigued, then whoever’s in better shape will play, as I said before. Maybe in a month’s time someone else will play more but they’re all part of the game regardless. We’ve got 16 players and there are lots of matches. Don’t make any distinctions between those that start and those who come on because, in the end, you’ll see that playing time will be similar for everyone.”
The way you talk about your team, it sounds like you're in love with them.
“That's true. This is a place you're happy to come to. We spend several hours a day here and when you have an atmosphere like this – where there are no disagreements and no one who is unlikeable – it's incredible to see how happy everyone is to train, even in the heat and despite the fatigue. That's down to the players. Regardless of our results, this is a very wholesome environment.”
Against a four-man defence you usually field two strikers and a trequartista. Could Santiago Castro and Donyell Malen both start together – not just tomorrow – and could Rodrigo Mora play as a striker?
“Sure. They're all versatile players who can adapt to different tactical systems. The more Castro and Mora play, the better they'll be able to fit into the team but there are no problems with the other players either.”
Do you have a plan to make it harder for Atalanta to keep the ball? Possession play has always been key to Maurizio Sarri's game.
“Atalanta are a great team, a top team, and they've strengthened considerably this summer, bringing in some big players such as [Franck] Kessie and [Jonathan] Rowe. They have a Champions League squad with strong alternatives and reliable players. The new coach will need a bit of time but everyone knows how good Sarri is. They've got off to a good start and that will help him too.”
How is Matias Soule physically and mentally? And does the decision not to bring in a free agent regard only the left forward?
“Soule’s groin injury is a distant memory. He’s made an outstanding recovery and he’s doing well. As for the transfer market, I’ve already talked about that. We’ll think about it, but overall, I don’t expect much.”
Is there anything, throughout this experience at Roma, that has changed you as a coach?
“This experience has certainly taught me a lot. I arrived at a different type of club after nine years of great achievements where I developed a strong sense of belonging to the city and the club. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I’m happy with it because I could no longer stay there. I am, however, extremely grateful and have the utmost respect for Atalanta. Rome has been the best place for me to feel alive again. It motivates you and we had to make the team better, so we had this challenge of improving on what had been done up to that point.”
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