Roma manager Claudio Ranieri spoke today ahead of Saturday’s match against SPAL. These are his words:
What sort of indications did you receive from the match against Empoli and from the training sessions?
The team responded well enough to the first things I asked. I can’t ask for much more because I’m used to playing in a certain way, I see a good predisposition and a lot of willingness to try to do the things I ask.
Schick and Dzeko have to play together. In which way?
Schick and Dzeko playing together? It’s not necessarily about the system we use for that, but the attitude of the group. We need to be compact in both attack and defence.
An update on the conditions of Kolarov and Zaniolo?
I have to evaluate them today and tomorrow. They haven’t trained with me yet, so if they don’t train they leave me in doubt whether to use them or not. These are all things I need to evaluate.
Florenzi is disqualified. Is the substitute Karsdorp or Santon?
I need to know if Kolarov is available before deciding anything.
Can the choice of wingers be affected by the presence of Schick and Dzeko?
They are not relative choices, they are important based on how the players are and the team we are facing. These are all situations that need to be calibrated to balance the team.
Fazio?
He is very important to me, he is intelligent and he knows how to read the action well. I am convinced that he can do well with me. Yesterday he trained, today he trains, so he should be fine.
Given the many injuries, are the players afraid of getting hurt? How do you deal with this?
A bit of fear is normal, especially after the first part of the season, but I want my team to be free of these issues. I’ve watched a few SPAL games. The speed of their build-up can cause problems. We’ll need to be organised.
Ünder?
The important thing is that he continues his recovery protocol, he will not go out on national team duty. I hope to have him ready again after the break.
Is there a component of psychological fear in Rome?
We always expect so much from Roma, I arrived here after two consecutive defeats and it is logical that without important players on the pitch, putting on a team with several players who are not used to playing together and missing some points of reference in the team, it is logical that I would tell them, “Play without fear, even if you get it wrong I don’t care”. I want a team free from conditioning, without fear.
