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Read what the boss had to say below.
What does this match mean for Roma?
“First of all, it's nice to go into this match in the position we're in, given the way we've played and the matches we've won. Inter have done something similar. It's a big match. There'll be a full stadium, a great atmosphere, plenty of enthusiasm, and two teams who have achieved some great results. I'd say it's a highly anticipated game that's come early in the season after both sides have made a really good start. It's a game people are really looking forward to.”
Do you think enthusiasm can be risky?
“In my book, any enthusiasm or desire is positive energy that should be harnessed. Then of course you have the match itself and the results. When things aren't going so well you have the other side of the coin, when the risk is perhaps getting too downbeat. But we can't be thinking about that. We have to focus on this match against Inter, on our form, and the fact we'll be playing in what will be a very positive atmosphere, with huge anticipation. These are the sort of matches you really want to be involved in. They're big matches for everyone: for the two teams and also for the fans. Everyone wants to be part of it.”
Could Roma's balance be the decisive factor in this match?
“I think – as everyone seems to agree on – Inter are without a doubt the team to beat in Serie A and for everyone else. They are a team that have consistently achieved extraordinary things in Italy and in Europe too, having reached two [Champions League] finals in recent years. They are an excellent team and I think everyone recognises that. The other teams are trying to close the gap and compete with them, but they are the benchmark. Clearly that's what everyone is aiming for, because Inter are widely acknowledged as the best right now.”
The team looked a little tired against Torino. Have you prepared for this one above all mentally?
“Games like this don't need any mental preparation. We must be calm and clear-headed enough to look at the pitch and see what we need to do, what we can do to oppose this team and compete with them. I don't think there's much else to it. Torino was a difficult match but the whole league is difficult – you can't expect to play every match and win them all the way we did the first two. Serie A is a very balanced league. Winning games as we did against Atalanta and in Turin – when we came up against difficulties, because that's what the opposition is there for – is an even more worthy achievement. It would be amazing if you could always win easily.”
Where exactly are Inter superior to Roma?
“I don't think it's a comparison to make just with Roma but with all Italian teams, but it's the results. The numbers are clear to see: the points they've earned, the games they've won. You have to be able to recognise something as objective as that. If we want to reach that level, we must look at ourselves rather than at the others. Personally I'm pleased with what we're doing. We're trying to move up a notch in the league. The numbers say quite clearly that Inter are the best team in the league and have been for a few years, though Napoli have got in their way a few times. This season we've only played a few games so it's too early to draw any conclusions. We're trying to get up there and stay up there and compared to last season we've definitely improved.”
Emanuele Lulli has made a surprising start to the season but he didn't play in the Champions League. Is he ready for that kind of game?
“I don't analyse things like that because if he's playing in Serie A he can play in other matches too. Obviously he's only just broken into the team and he needs to continue along his path, perhaps skipping ahead at times. Rather than look to the future, I'm looking at the present, and I'm very happy with what he's doing.”
Do you think Inter have figured out how to play against your teams from a tactical perspective?
“It's true that there was a period in which we were able to get results against Inter and that's not been the case in recent years – in fact we've always lost. There may be a tactical element to it, although they've had different coaches: [Antonio] Conte, then [Simone] Inzaghi and now [Cristian] Chivu. The results haven't changed. I think quite a few teams have similar negative records against Inter. There was a time when Juventus went on that run of seven, eight, nine league titles and it was extremely hard to get a result against them. Then afterwards, it was possible to beat them again. There are a lot of factors. We're clearly up against an amazing team and they're a much better team than they were before, when they were already enjoying success.”
Going back to what you said in the summer, did you have to help the players get back into gear?
“The start of this season was somewhat unusual because the World Cup got in the way. The players came back at different times and there were transfers happening, with different deals going on. Overall we had a good pre-season but obviously once the league kicks off your level of focus is different. However, that's something this group of players has never lacked. It was the same last season, except for the second half in Milan, where after an excellent first half we had perhaps our only slightly demoralising moment. For the rest of the season they were always on the ball, focused and alert, always giving their all to get a result.”
Can you update us on the condition of Manu Kone, Evan Ndicka, Wesley and Lorenzo Pellegrini?
“I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We have everyone available for tomorrow. That in itself is an extraordinary achievement – because it rarely happens. Of course when you have 22 or 23 players there are always some who are a bit better off and others who have a niggle or two. There was a touch of flu going around last week, a few players picked up a knock or two, others have minor distractions, but those things are all part and parcel of the game. We'll have our final training session today but I think the focus this match calls for will see these minor issues overcome and everyone will make it. Pellegrini has been training regularly with the team for two weeks. He can do everything now and he's available too. For him – and perhaps for a few others too – the long break we have will be an opportunity to do a bit more, because he hasn't played a match for quite a while. We'll see if it's worth arranging a few friendlies.”
Will you take the same approach to the match as always, or are you considering any changes?
“For me, the main thing is to always try and do things with the team in mind, with the result in mind. Every match is different: your players' performances can vary, as can those of your opponents. You have to assess every situation constantly because you can't predict today what might happen in the match tomorrow. You have to try to make adjustments and find solutions, but always with the ultimate aim of getting a result. Against Atalanta, I brought on two defenders to win the match because I thought we were looking tired at the back and if we fixed that, we could turn the match around. You need to get used to making substitutions involving defenders because virtually every team brings on fresh forwards at a certain point in the match. People think less about substituting defenders, but that's an aspect that needs to be considered. Against Torino last Monday in Turin, the Malen and [Paulo] Dybala substitutions were made because we had some problems in midfield: [Marten] De Roon came on and we sorted out the midfield. It's never a sign of backing off or not trying to achieve the best possible result.”
The appointment of Davide Massa as referee for Roma v Inter has caused a bit of a stir. What do you think of it?
“I'm sure Massa will be perfect tomorrow. There will be no more controversy.”
What sort of attitude are you expecting to see from your players in such an important game as tomorrow's?
“Nothing different to what we've been doing until now. It's a game of football, and an important one considering the build-up to it. We must go into it aware of the fact that we've created that situation for ourselves with the results we've obtained. We'll try to play it to the very best of our ability.”
Are you happy with Nahuel Molina's performance on the left and is Wesley still an option at right-back?
“Both could play on one side or the other. They have different attributes and they're both right-footed but they're perfectly capable of playing on either flank.”
Is it more important to go into a game like this with Donyell Malen in this form or a defence that has conceded only one goal in four league matches?
“I think both things are laudable. People say that the teams at the top of the table are there because they don't concede many goals, and others say it's because they score a lot. I think the top teams are up there because they have the best attack and the best defence, otherwise you wouldn't be there. And if you're not the absolute best, you're very close.”
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