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Coach Paulo Fonseca answered questions from the media on Saturday afternoon, ahead of Inter Milan's visit to the Stadio Olimpico.
The two sides go head-to-head on Sunday evening in the Italian capital, with kick-off at 21:45 local time.
Here's what the boss had to say ahead of the game - including updates on the availability of Chris Smalling and Lorenzo Pellegrini, and his tactical approach to facing Antonio Conte's men.
In the game against Inter Milan earlier this season Chris Smalling played brilliantly, and we know he is now back training with the group. Is he ready to start tomorrow?
“We will see, Chris only trained with the rest of the guys again yesterday and he has been injured – so we’ll see how he is today and tomorrow. He’s only had a few sessions with the group and we need to see how he is.”
At the end of Wednesday’s game we witnessed Gianluca Mancini call out Nicolo Zaniolo for not tracking back, and you spoke about it as well after the game. Is it being too critical of a young boy just making his way back from injury?
“I am always very direct in these situations, and when I don’t like something I will say it. But these are normal things in football. There is no issue with Zaniolo, either for me or for any of his teammates. I spoke with him about it later and it is all fine. He’s an important player, he’s been sidelined for a long time, and we have a lot of faith in him. We’ve spoken about it and everything is fine, there is no problem with him.”
Roma have not beaten any of the four sides above them this season – does that underline that you deserve to be in fifth?
“We have to look at each game individually, though. The statistics may show that but we have put in good performances against all four of them.”
From outside there seems to be some tension within the squad right now, but inside it how are things?
“These are perceptions that come from outside the club, but here there are no issues. The squad has confidence, they are all united, I think perhaps the problems are just being perceived from outside. Here everyone is calm.”
Will Lorenzo Pellegrini continue in the starting XI tomorrow?
“Pellegrini is doing well, physically and mentally, and he will start tomorrow.”
We haven’t seen much from Cengiz Under or Justin Kluivert recently – is that down to the formation or their performances?
“It’s not a matter of the formation, but I can only choose 11 players at a time. The team is doing well and I don’t want to change things too much right now. Both players are training well and when there is an opportunity they will play.”
Do you still think Roma can finish fourth?
“It will be very difficult, we have to be honest. For me the main thing is tomorrow’s game against Inter – we can’t think of anything beyond that, just that game.”
Bruno Peres has started five games since the resumption, whereas Davide Zappacosta has started just twice. What is it that gives the Brazilian the nod?
“We’ll see who plays tomorrow, but I have to say that in this setup we need a player on the flank that is a bit more attack-minded – like Bruno is. That’s why he’s often played.”
Antonio Conte’s Inter have some familiar attacking moves that they use – how are you working to counter their threats? Might you make the team sit deeper tomorrow?
“No, we have to keep playing like we have been recently – applying pressure on teams as high up the pitch as possible. We don’t want to change that; I know Inter well, they have a great coach and a lot of great players. We are working on their threats, we know what they like to do.”
Will it change things tomorrow if Romelu Lukaku does or doesn’t play?
“No, it won’t change anything in terms of our defensive structure.”
After Wednesday’s game you said you were pleased with Aleksandar Kolarov’s performance in the back three. Could he continue in that role then, or was that an emergency choice?
“He had a great game and it’s possible he could keep playing in that role. I really liked his display, and it’s a role he played before at Manchester City too.”
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