APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini is aware of how important tomorrow's game against league leaders Roma is but he was keen to put the match into context when he discussed the Week 11 encounter with journalists today.
"The Roma game won't be decisive but it is very important for both teams," he began. "There's a long, difficult season ahead. We need to respect Roma. They had a few difficutlies at the start but they've picked themselves up now and have lots of players who have been playing together for ages."
How important is it to win tomorrow? "I think a win would give us more self-belief but we know it's going to be a tough game and great game too.
"We're only 11 weeks into the season so it can't be decisive. It would be great if we could win though.
"Generally speaking it's better to have a strong second half providing you're able to stand firm and not concede in the first half. We need to play well for 95 minutes though."
It's second versus first tomorrow and with a big match comes media scrutiny and pressure but Mancini is sure his players will have no problem maintaining their concentration. "I don't need to ask anything special of my players for a match like tomorrow's – your focus comes naturally for certain matches. Then of course anything can happen during the game but our focus won't be a problem.
"There will be lots of people at the stadium and if it's full like it was for the derby and against Juventus it will be a big help for us.
"I know Rome pretty well and it's normal that there should be enthusiasm but you then have to go and play the games. Garcia has done superbly and it's not an easy place to work. He's always done well and he's a very good coach. I think he's made for Italian football and a city like Rome."
Roberto Mancini then spoke about individual players: "Icardi and Jovetic haven't played together enough to really understand what they can do together. Ljajic did really well against Bologna. He was clever enough to lay it off to Mauro even though he was in front of the keeper.
"My selection doubts? Between Handanovic and Berni because Carrizo is injured. The defence is doing well. We're creating chances up front and I think it's strange we haven't scored more. Without Felipe Melo in midfield I have four players vying for three places."
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