22 December 2017
TEAM SELECTION
“Gianluigi Buffon, Mattia De Sciglio and Benedikt Howedes are definitely out of tomorrow’s match. Mario Mandzukic and Juan Cuadrado have trained with the team, so they could be available but I will wait until after today’s training session to decide.”
“Regarding tomorrow’s line-up, I have already decided half of the team, but as for the rest I will make my choices after today’s workout. Those that I have decided will play are Wojciech Szczesny, Medhi Benatia, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro and Gonzalo Higuain.”
“Mandzukic gives us technique and physicality when he plays, but if I don’t select him then I will use a player with more speed, but it will also depend on which player will play behind. Cuadrado could also be an option at full-back tomorrow, but I will also assess Stephan Lichtsteiner’s condition or assess whether it could be better to use Andrea Barzagli.”
PLEASED WITH THE SQUAD
“The team have trained well, we have worked all week and the lads are in good condition.”
“I’m happy that Paulo Dybala was able to find the back of the net in the TIM Cup against Genoa. Paulo has played in 38 matches this year, more than a lot of other players, so it’s not unusual if sometimes he has been on the bench.”
“Federico Bernardeschi has grown a lot and has always been decisive when he’s played, against Genoa he had a good game, especially in the first half. The other lads who came in for the match also did well.”
ROMA QUALITY
“Roma are definitely one of the favourites for the Scudetto, away from home Roma haven’t even been behind for a single minute and that says a lot about how much quality they possess.”
“Eusebio Di Francesco has shown that he is able to prepare his teams well, both technically and tactically. He has been able to give the team a good balance, in what is a difficult environment. Looking in from the outside I think he’s doing a good job there, transmitting harmony to the squad.”
“The big matches between strong teams are always even, look at the games against Napoli and Inter. I think it will be the same against Roma, an even game.”
