An Audience with Di Francesco: 'The potential is there to see'

From family matters to how he plans to fashion his Giallorossi squad, read everything the boss had to say below...

What’s your assessment on the first week of work?

“I’m pleased with how everyone has been willing to get stuck in; I’ll have the squad at full strength in the USA. It’s a shame we couldn’t work for a few extra days. It would have meant working somewhere we can feel the fans’ passion.”

Will this approach to training be replicated throughout the year?

“The drills might change, but the ideas will be the same. Defence, midfield and attack don’t be divided but will work as a collective whole. We have to work on what we find difficult, just like at school, to ensure we’re able to move as a unit."

James Pallotta met Francesco Totti in Rome recently.

“I don’t know what they spoke about, but I can tell you I’d like to have Francesco in a specific role at the club. I want to stress that speaking about Roma and Totti is the same thing: I believe Roma is Totti and Totti is Roma.”

The international players are returning soon. What kind of work do you have in store for them?

“It will be a great experience for me, but it won’t change my thoughts. The training sessions will be the same: pretty much two every day to get my ideas across and allow the players to get to know each other. I expect to see constant improvement. I don’t like giving assessments too far in advance – to be strong you need to evaluate many different factors. Time, development, knowing what to expect. The potential is there to see, but this is different from a footballer’s growth. There will be games when we perform well and others when we find it tough – this is all part of building up towards the league season.”

You’ve got a friendly against FC Slovacko, then PSG, Tottenham and Juventus coming up. Things are getting serious.

“These friendlies have to be played, especially tomorrow’s as Czech sides have been in training for a month. They’ll surely have a bit more in terms of tempo and motivation, so we’ll have to go about the game in the right way. It’s the same when it comes to the other matches. It’s impossible to assume everyone will be in top shape, as the international contingent will only come back three days before the PSG game, so I shall have to play those who have had the most training. I’ll give a chance to some Primavera players to show me if they’ve got the ability to compete in the league and cups.”

Is one team set to play for three quarters of the game tomorrow?

“It’s a training game and some will have to do a bit extra. There might be an injury, the rhythm is different, everything changes. You change what you put into it and you feel the tiredness a bit more. Let’s see who I have available.”

How important was it to work in a calm environment in your previous experience at Sassuolo?

“If one has the right mentality and ability, five or ten extra people doesn’t change the job. Supporters both motivate and distract us: working behind closed doors is useful, but every now and again we’ll open things up when there’s the chance. It’s right that the fans get to see their idols up close.”

How do you build relationships in a dressing room that has both young and established players?

“It’s not the same thing, but you need to have the ability to make everyone fully understand what you’re looking for.”

Do you favour the carrot or the stick?

“My approach will be the same as at home.”

People say Eusebio Di Francesco is similar to Zdenek Zeman. How did this comparison come about?

“There are subtle differences that only coaches can see: I’m not a Zeman-ite but rather my own man, Di Francesco. He sent ten players into the national team and when we lost under him, it wasn’t Zeman that was losing but us. I respect Zeman because back in the day the football he played was different to anyone else. I’m speaking from the point of view of a coach. I’m not aping him; anyone who does that won’t get very far. Zeman had his own ideas, which anyone can appreciate to varying degrees. I have my own ideas as well. As with him, they won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but I’ll try to change people’s minds.”

Speaking of clichés, it’s said that only a ruthless coach is suitable for Roma.

“I think only a coach that brings success is suitable for Roma. I understand that, as I’ve been here myself. I’ve clearly come here with the objective of winning, if we play good football as well that will be ideal.”

What memories do you have of the Scudetto victory?

“It was brilliant, even though I wasn’t one of the starring players.”

Nevertheless, your former team-mates say you were vital.

“Being able to interact with others in the dressing room was a quality that led me to coaching.”

What about Alessandro Florenzi?

“He’s had a lot of bad luck, but he’ll definitely be an important player in my Roma team.”

Tell us about your bond with the region of Abruzzo?

“I have family there. I left at an early age, but the bond has remained strong. My upbringing means I have the desire to return home when it’s possible.”

What’s your relationship like with the fans?

“I didn’t enjoy talking to that particular fan at the beginning of the training camp that much! When someone doesn’t understand you, it’s hard to strike up a relationship. I’ll just say that I’m straightforward, honest and I don’t like being a sycophant. However, I’m respectful. We’re in a job where we have to respect the fans because they pay our wages.”

You took Pescara into Serie B and then Sassuolo into the Europa League.

“A prophet is never respect in his own home, but the experience I gained at Sassuolo was incredible. We achieved some amazing things, I’m proud to talk about it and I will always treasure it.”

Who did you speak to when you got the offer from Roma?

“My son Federico, who plays for Bologna but supports Roma.”

Would it be difficult to coach your own son?

“Almost impossible, as there are club dynamics that need to be respected. They used to say Berardi was one of my favourites, but it wasn’t the case.”

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