Fonseca: We still have targets in the league

Sunday's Serie A game get underway at 18:00 CEST.

Here's what the boss had to say going into the match...

What is required to find the right balance between some of the great attacking football we saw at the start of the season, and the defensive excellence on display against Ajax?

“We have an approach for each game. For almost the entire season, people have been say that Roma are one of the best attacking sides around. But in those two games [against Ajax] we had a different approach, to go up against a really good side like Ajax, and that was especially so in the second game after we had won the first leg. But we have our overall identity. That doesn’t define us as a team but, when there is the need for a different approach, we are able to adapt.”

As a coach you seem to divide opinion. What could you do to get more people on your side?

“I don’t do things to appease other people – I do things to help Roma win. It’s normal, however, that when you win more people are on your side. It’s happened to me, as it has happened to all coaches. I understand that. The most important thing is that I do my job.”

How is Chris Smalling doing, both after his scare the other night and in terms of his fitness?

“Let’s see. We are assessing his situation every day. He’s started training out on the pitch again. When he has confidence in his ability to return, he will return. But I think he is doing a lot better.”

What is this team lacking to be competitive at the very highest levels in both Serie A and Europe?

“This has been a unique season. I could give you a number of different examples of teams that have run into trouble after being involved in European competitions. For example, before the second leg of the quarter-finals Villarreal lost against Osasuna, while Bayern drew at home and Arsenal are now down to 10th in their league. That can happen when you progress in other competitions. If you play every three days you have few players available to you and that can change games.”

Could Roma have achieved more this season if they’d had more of the concentration they showed on Thursday? And, further to that, could that example lead to a change in approach going forward?

“No. As I’ve said before, it’s about having an approach for a particular game and then an overall style. We don’t change our overall identity. Tomorrow we want to be back to being an attacking side that takes the initiative. And, yes, perhaps with a bit more concentration we could do better in the league.”

How important is it from here to try and qualify for the Europa League through Serie A?

“I don’t ever look too far ahead – I just think about the next game. I think the Ajax match is already in the past and now we have to focus on the league. We have to have the hunger to beat Torino. We need to play well if we want to win against a side that is in good form.”

Could Javier Pastore start the game tomorrow?

“You’ll have to wait for tomorrow to see.”

Could these next two games be decisive in your hopes of finishing in the top four?

“The important thing is we win our matches. As I’ve said, I only think about the next game. I’m not thinking about anything other than trying to beat Torino tomorrow.”

In Italy there are a number of teams with large squads of players – is there a problem with poor recruitment?

“It’s important to have a compact squad of players. But I don’t think Roma are necessarily an example for your point. For us, basically every player has played some games and has been a part of my selection process. But in general I agree, it’s important to have a compact group.”

Could these league games be used to try and get some players back into form ahead of the Europa League semi-finals?

“No, they are different competitions. Now I’m just thinking about the league and the best decisions in order to win tomorrow. I’m focused on Torino. It’s important that we understand that the game against Ajax is over now. We have to get back to the league, we still have targets to pursue in Serie A.”

Starting tomorrow, what do you want to see from the team heading towards the semis?

“The same levels of concentration, the same defensive determination. It’s important that the side is solid at the back. And, considering we did that well against Ajax, I think we should be able to reproduce that in the league as well.”