Ranieri's pre-Milan news conference

Here's what the coach had to say...

Is everyone fit except Bryan Cristante? How's he doing? Do you think Roma might be better off playing with an extra midfielder rather than two trequartistas against Milan? 

“You know I always decide the team the night before so I'll weigh everything up tomorrow. We'll see. I believe that whoever plays will perform well. I have confidence in everyone.

“Yes, they're all fit. As for Bryan, I've read some criticism of our doctors but I'd like to say a word in their defence: they did nothing more and nothing less that what the X-ray said. We reproached the people who needed reproaching and sought a solution.”

Do you think the open training session at Tre Fontane on New Year's Day with lots of kids will give the team a boost? 

“For sure. We can't stress it enough but our fans are our strength, our life blood, the ones who give us energy and the desire to never stop fighting. We're professionals but it's one thing being professional with a stadium driving you on and another thing without them driving you on. I remember when I was a youngster and we played friendlies near Rome. At the time the training ground could be opened up more – it's harder to do today. So when I was asked about potentially letting the kids in, I told them we should do it on 1 January to help them fall in love with Roma from the start. That was the idea behind it and I agreed.”

Do you think Paulo Fonseca has a tougher job at Milan than you do at Roma?

“When coaches take over a team there are always difficulties and it's up to them to deal with them and overcome them. Sometimes it's easier, other times it's harder. It also depends on the fans and on the relationship you have with the media.

“I'm lucky because I took over a group of magnificent players who are really willing and a club that's always there to help me. I know I have dual role to carry out but I'm doing it with all my energy and all my passion.”

Do you, as the current coach and a future director, want Mats Hummels, Leo Paredes and Paulo Dybala to be a part of Roma next season?

“Absolutely.”

Have you come up with a plan to keep Tijjani Reijnders quiet?

“If you look at them one by one, all of Milan's players are excellent. I think it has to be a team effort: when we lose the ball we must be super alert. After Bologna, I think Milan are the team that has conceded the fewest goals at home, whereas we are one of the teams who have scored the fewest goals on the road, so we're going to need a massive performance.”

How should Roma prepare for these games against Milan and Lazio? What are you doing to fire up the players?

“I try to maintain calm in the camp, then on the training ground I try to give all of myself. I want each of them to always give their all and I'm never satisfied.

“I don't need to give them any more motivation for this game because any player would love to play at San Siro against Milan. I'm confident we'll have a good game. We must keep giving everything until the last second and then we'll see the result. We'll see what chances we have and what chances they have. Sometimes results are decided by the small details. We must take care of those small details.”

What's the situation with the chief executive? Are you involved in that?

“No, I'm not involved. I'm only involved on the football side. I don't get into those matters – they're delicate and quite rightly it's up to the club.”

What's your position and the club's position regarding Lorenzo Pellegrini and the coming transfer window? Could he be allowed to leave or not?

“He has my complete confidence so if there are any offers, we'll consider them as we would any offers for any other player – it's no different. I hope Lorenzo stays with us but he has to be happy too. That's the most important thing.”

I would have added Mile Svilar to the list along with Hummels, Paredes and Dybala. Do you ask him to start attacking moves? Who does he remind you of?

“Let's not make comparisons between goalkeepers. Since I've been here, he's been doing really, really well. He knows he can start moves from the back or play it long quickly. Once everyone has learnt the principles, I give them freedom because they're the ones on the pitch. As coaches, we can shout from the sidelines but sometimes you can shout at a player two metres away and he won't hear you. You try to give them guidelines but then it's up to them to decide how to play based on their experience and what feels right in the moment. And the goalkeeper has a better view of how the game is going than anyone else so he knows when to speed up play or slow things down.”