ROMA: DI FRANCESCO PRESS CONFERENCE
Eusebio Di Francesco spoke this afternoon during the pre-match press conference. Roma are looking to continue their recent run of positive results, despite having to deal with the enforced break for international matches. The match at the Stadio Olimpico gets underway at 3pm.
Considering the busy run of games coming up, will you pick the team for tomorrow based on how much time players played with their national teams?
“That's something I'll bear in mind both for this game and the next one. Generally speaking, two games back-to-back are manageable. Hopefully Kolarov and De Rossi will return to full training on Sunday and we'll have them available for CSKA. They won't be in the squad for tomorrow's game".
Do you think De Rossi could become a coach in future?
“Lots of the other players look to him already out on the pitch and he can do even better. The fact he's had a great career as a midfielder can help him. Lots of other things come into it too of course – technical and tactical knowledge and much more besides – but I think he could become an excellent coach".
Are you confident the team are now over that inconsistent spell in September?
“Tomorrow is going to be a very tough game and underestimating it would be a huge mistake. I could mention Lazzari, who's made more dribbles than anyone else this season. It's a very tough game. Saying we have or haven't come through a bad spell matters little you must be consistent in football. We're on the right path but it doesn't end here".
Could Luca Pellegrini start again?
“Yes, he's going to start tomorrow. I want to give him a run in the side to aid his development. He must keep working away and keep improving, trying to make the right choice in every situation, with and without the ball. He has great ability and he needs to use it better but he's young and it's only right he gets the chance to make mistakes and improve".
(Photo Getty Imges)
