Roma boss Paulo Fonseca praised Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri as “one of the best in Europe with a positive approach I like a lot.”

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“Sarri is a great coach, one of the best in Europe,” said Fonseca in his press conference. “He has a positive approach to football that I like a lot. He has only just started at Juve, but is already building a very strong team.

Roma boss Paulo Fonseca praised Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri as “one of the best in Europe with a positive approach I like a lot.”

It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.

“Sarri is a great coach, one of the best in Europe,” said Fonseca in his press conference. “He has a positive approach to football that I like a lot. He has only just started at Juve, but is already building a very strong team.

“Juventus are a very different team to Inter, but I don’t prefer one to the other. They both reflect the strong ideas of their coach, as like Sarri, Antonio Conte has made his mark.

“In my view, the strongest teams are the ones who really stuck by their coach. Lazio have had theirs in charge for four years, Atalanta three, so Sarri’s work is just beginning. He’s a coach who likes to get his teams playing good football.”

Roma have some injury concerns after the home defeat to Torino, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan suffered a relapse, with David Zappacosta, Justin Kluivert, Davide Santon and Javier Pastore also out of action.

“Leonardo Spinazzola had a virus and didn’t train with us this week, so he’s not ready to play from the start. Bryan Cristante is available, albeit not at his best, but is in the squad.

“We’ll see if we go to three at the back tomorrow, it is a possibility. This team has always played with courage against the big clubs, I am more concerned when we drop points to Genoa or Torino. It’s an issue of mentality and ambition. If we want to get closer to Juve and the top of the table, we cannot get that type of game wrong.

“We have to be rigorous in our defending, but at the same time keep a high line and try to block Juve moving between the lines. We are working to become the strongest Roma again, creating the conditions to fight in future with Inter and Juve for the title.”

Fonseca was asked about Cengiz Under, who has been linked with among others Napoli, Milan and Manchester United.

“Under isn’t playing at the moment because Nicolò Zaniolo is doing so well, but we are not thinking about a sale.”

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