Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco held his pre-match press conference today ahead of tomorrow’s opening match against Atalanta. Here are his words
What are your objectives?
The goal is to start strong and look to make a great performance in Bergamo. After the friendlies in Spain, where I did not like the performance against Vigo at all, I expect a great performance. Atalanta has great physicality and potential. The overall goal is to improve day by day.
Atalanta has lost a few pieces, what kind of opponent are you expecting?
I see them as if they haven’t stopped playing together from last season. Bergamo is always a difficult place to play, it will be a very difficult match, but we will have a great desire to do well and try to impose our way of thinking of how we play.
What is outlook of the (league) table?
I do not do predictions, how about I ask you since it’s your job. I appreciate my team. Many clubs have strengthened, it will be a more competitive langue, there will be less of a gap between the first and the rest. Milan and Inter strengthened.
Who will play in the center of defense next to Manolas?
I do not like talking about the formation, Manolas or not Manolas. We have to prepare for the math in a certain way, we need to talk more about a compact squad than individual, we must all move together. The collective must be highlighted, not the individual. Everyone’s quality is always borne out from teamwork.
Do you begin the league as you expected or is there something missing from the preseason?
From an individual level, I do not have to talk about someone in particular. A player with huge potential is Nainggolan, he can do well in both phases, he is a player with enormous potential and can express himself even more. Generally, we have learned from our mistakes. It was a great time of learning, trying to figure out what works and what does not work. Now we begin with full concentration. I think the team who makes less mistakes usually wins.
