Paulo Fonseca wants Roma to “believe in what we’re doing and be positive,” seeing the same in Bologna and Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic’s battle against illness.
“The team is in good shape and motivated,” said the Portuguese Coach in his Press conference.
The Giallorossi kept their first clean sheet of the season in Thursday’s 4-0 Europa League victory over Istanbul Basaksehir.
“We were able to rotate the squad for the Europa League game, so we can use those who didn’t play midweek. That match had different characteristics to this one, as I prefer to play with two midfielders in Serie A and tomorrow they will be Bryan Cristante and Jordan Veretout.
“We can be versatile, it’s not that there are static players, as it all depends on the game, the situation and the opponent. Chris Smalling will continue training until he reaches 100 per cent fitness, while it’s possible Aleksandar Kolarov or Federico Fazio will rest.
“It’s not easy in Italy to dominate possession, as the opposition always bring their qualities to the game. We’re working on it, but everyone we’ve faced so far have had attacking principles and that doesn’t make it easy for us.
“However, we won’t change our general approach to the game or alter those basic concepts. If we don’t believe in what we’re doing, in life as well as football, it’s difficult to achieve anything. Negativity makes it more difficult. I am a positive person and try to transmit that to the team.”
Bologna fought back from 3-1 down to beat Brescia 4-3 last week and the team stopped outside the hospital room afterwards to salute Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
“This is an excellent test to measure our current capabilities, as Bologna are strong, still unbeaten this season and very motivated. They have good players and the team reflects the character of their Coach. It’s a complicated match, but we are ready.
“I was sad to hear of Mihajlovic’s illness. He is a fighter and I wish with all my heart that he recovers quickly and wins this battle. I am sure he will. There are matters far more important than tomorrow’s football match.”