Paulo Fonseca “always believed” Edin Dzeko would remain at Roma and wants to “start on the right foot” against Genoa.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I am very motivated by our first official home game. We are playing in front of our fans and I’d say that is the best scenario to begin a new season,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Paulo Fonseca “always believed” Edin Dzeko would remain at Roma and wants to “start on the right foot” against Genoa.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I am very motivated by our first official home game. We are playing in front of our fans and I’d say that is the best scenario to begin a new season,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“The team is improving and ready to start the campaign on the right foot, even if we are really only at the beginning of this process.
“I believe in my way of working and am here with great ambition. This is a Roma side that will challenge with everyone, making our fans proud and doing something special.”
The Giallorossi were expected to sell Edin Dzeko to Inter, but he surprisingly not only rejected the transfer, but also signed a contract extension.
“I am very happy that he is staying. From the first day I arrived here, I had faith and always believed he would remain. Dzeko is very important for us and it’s a pleasure for everyone to know he’s staying.
“It’s no secret that Roma are looking for a centre-back, but he must be experienced and improve the quality of the overall squad. We don’t want to bring someone in just for the sake of it, but because he can genuinely improve the team.
“Gianluca Mancini has been doing well in training, but I can confirm Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus will be central defence tomorrow.”
The favourite to join Roma’s defence right now is Daniele Rugani of Juventus, although they hit the brakes when the Bianconeri requested youth team player Alessio Riccardi in exchange.
“Nobody has talked to me about this yet, which means it’s not a concrete plan. Riccardi is a player we all put a lot of faith in and I need to get to know him better.”
Patrik Schick has been heavily linked with a move to German club RB Leipzig.
“Schick has a lot of competition from Dzeko. He hasn’t been used much, but he is with the squad, he’s training and will be called up tomorrow.
“There are players who take longer to adapt to my requests, and Schick is one of them, but he’ll be called up tomorrow.”