Fonseca ready to face very different Juve challenge

Coach Paulo Fonseca faced the media on Friday afternoon, in order to preview the weekend's big Serie A meeting with Juventus.

The game at Juventus Stadium gets underway at 18:00 CET.

With both sides currently inside the top four in Serie A, here's what the boss had to say going into an eagerly-anticipated contest...

Tomorrow’s game sees third and fourth in the league face off. Beyond the standings, in terms of quality, where do you think Juventus are stronger than Roma – and where are Roma stronger than Juventus?

“I don’t like making comparisons like that. These are two different sides.

"Juventus are a very good team, with a great coach. They play a bit differently compared to the start of the season. Now they’ve had a bit more time to work with the coach and there is more intensity, more dynamism, they have confidence and a lot of individual brilliance. Roma are in good form right now, we’ve won two important games and so we are also confident.”

Tiago Pinto spoke about the Edin Dzeko issue earlier in the week. Will he play tomorrow, and will Bryan Cristante be the captain?

“I don’t have anything to add beyond what Tiago already said. We spoke, now everything is okay. Dzeko has trained well, but Cristante will be the captain tomorrow.”

Could tomorrow’s game be a breakout moment for Borja Mayoral?

“We don’t need tomorrow's game to know what he is capable of producing. Borja is young, he’s playing really well – he needs to stay focused in order to do well again tomorrow.”

Tiago Pinto said at his press conference that you are the man for the present and medium term. Can you see yourself still being the Roma coach next season?

“I am focused on the present, on this game against Juventus. What is important is what we are doing right now.”

How does the team change if Mayoral is the centre-forward instead of Dzeko? Has the issue with Dzeko brought the rest of the squad together?

“No – it’s winning games that has done that, winning games and also the attitude in training – those are the things that bind a group together. Dzeko and Mayoral are very different types of players. Dzeko is better at linking up with his teammates and holding the ball up, Borja is better at creating and using space. They both have characteristics that can help the way we play.”

Could one solution tomorrow be to have Cristante and Veretout in central roles, with Villar deeper to take the initial passes, and then push Mkhitaryan closer to Mayoral?

“Yes, that’s an option that I think everyone could see. It depends on your imagination…”

Leonardo Spinazzola has said that the draw with Juventus on the second weekend is the biggest regret of the season so far – would you agree with that?

“You are never happy whenever you don’t win, but I don’t have a particularly feeling about that game.”

Is Antonio Mirante ready to play? Is Stephan El Shaarawy fit enough to help the team yet?

“Mirante will be in the squad, but we will continue with Pau in goal. El Shaarawy will not be with the team tomorrow, he is working on a personal training programme. He needs to continue with that in order to get back to full fitness.”

Pedro has now been out for about three weeks. What is the issue? Would you have expected more from him so far?

“Now he’s injured, he’s still recovering. I think he will be back with the squad next week. He has had some great performances already for Roma, and he will be a key player for us again. He has a lot of characteristics that I really like.”

With Chris Smalling out, will Roger Ibanez move into the centre of defence?

“Yes, Ibanez will play in the centre.”

Could Villar become a difference-maker also as a trequartista, slightly higher up the pitch?

“Villar has the qualities required to play in two spots. He has the characteristics required to sit deep, closer to the defenders, and be the first man on the ball in build-up play. But he could also play much higher up the pitch.”

Compared to the first meeting this season, is this a different Juventus side?

“Yes – as I’ve already said, they have more time with Pirlo under their belts now. They are more dynamic on the ball, they have more intensity and they are more confident in themselves. This is a stronger side than the one we saw earlier in the season.”

What will you ask of your players in order to win the game tomorrow?

“The team needs to have the same level of ambition going into all matches.”