Di Francesco: Against Genoa we need to turn the corner

Coach Eusebio Di Francesco faced the media on Saturday afternoon, to preview Sunday's home Serie A clash against Genoa.

The game at the Stadio Olimpico gets underway at 20:30 local time.

Read what the boss had to say in the transcript below.

How is Daniele De Rossi, having returned to training yesterday?

“He did a third of the training session – he’ll definitely be in the squad. Today he’ll have his first full training session. I want him with the team and he wants to be there too, whether he can play a role or not.”

What are you expecting from Genoa?

“They reacted really well last week, after falling behind and despite the numerical disadvantage. They’ve got two attackers who fit really well into the team. Krzysztof Piatek is a very good penalty-box striker and Christian Kouamé is a youngster with real potential.”

Has what was said after Plzen v Roma left a mark?

“When you analyse defeats, you face up to reality. We’ve analysed the mistakes we made, and I saw a real desire amongst the players to bounce back and show they’re not the players they’ve been in recent games.”

Are you thinking about going back to a three-man defence?

“Anything is possible, but you need to look beyond tactical aspects – the desire to rediscover great team spirit, concentration, self-sacrifice and the will to come out on top in individual battles. I’ve done work on three and four at the back recently, and it could be a solution for us.”

What is the significance of these next 90 minutes?

“It represents a new beginning and new starting point. Questions are being asked of all of us. It’s not a problem to feel that - I’ve been feeling it since the Milan defeat. We need to put a lot into the game, but not too much from an emotional viewpoint.”

Where is Diego Perotti on his road to recovery?

“After the match with Inter, he had two days to recover from the 15 minutes he played. I tried to get him back playing, given our limited options, but we realised that he needed more time. He’s trained with greater consistency in recent days, rediscovering his best quality – his dribbling. I hope to see a good response from him, so he can be an option from the bench.”

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi spoke about the downside of James Pallotta’s distance. Do you have a way of speaking directly to him?

“That’s how the club is set up and talking about it now, when things are not going well, is no real use. It’s a fundamental aspect, which you need to deal with even when things are going well. I have points of reference at the club, Monchi first and foremost.”

How are you feeling about this period on a personal level? How are the fans being with you? Do you feel the players are behind you?

“I feel the boys are very much behind me. Sometimes you might want to give more but you can’t. I need to give the players more, as opposed to the other way around – that’s my job and I have to do it. My approach is to face things head on, not trying to run away. The respect I have for this shirt means I will front up. I know that the supporters can’t be happy at the moment, but I expect to get their support – we need them. I’ve had messages of encouragement. I feel I can give even more to this team.”

What is Patrik Schick missing in order to make that step up in quality? Will he start the game tomorrow?

“You ask me about Schick when he plays and when he doesn’t play. What matters to me is Roma, regardless of Patrik’s quality or struggles. We expect more from him but it’s also up to us to help him out. It won’t be names out on the field tomorrow, but a team, wearing a prestigious jersey, with the words AS Roma. That’s what matters.”

What has most disappointed you up to now?

“I don’t have time to think about disappointments. I just need to think positively, remaining fully-focused on the match. Sometimes you extrapolate from the things that I say. I analyse what happens and we all take responsibility, without pointing the finger at individuals.”

People have spoken about ups and downs because of the presence of youngsters in the team. In Europe, however, we’ve seen youngsters get you results. What do you think the explanation is?

“I think there are so many different things at play, including the culture in Italy, from the press to the youth set-ups. Young players have a period in which they mature and it’s a period during which they make mistakes that help them to improve. Nobody here thinks that we lose or draw games because of young players. I’ve never said that. It isn’t right to place to much pressure on their shoulders in moments like this – this isn’t the time for that.

"However, when I’ve relied on young players it’s because I’ve been forced to, also because some of them offer qualities that we need on the pitch. Against Cagliari we conceded with a very experienced back line. Young players mature abroad but when they come here there are other steps they need to take.”