New Roma coach Luciano Spalletti says there's no excuses for his players.

Spalletti warned Roma “have no alibis" ahead of his debut against Verona.

Rudi Garcia suggested there were problems at a fitness level for the players, but Spalletti shot that down.

“The signs sent from the brain to the body are important. What do I tell the players, that if they lose for another two months it's because they don't have fuel in the tank? Are we kidding? No alibis, otherwise the people who welcomed me so warmly at the airport will grab me by the ear and drag me round the city. I have an advantage, which is I already know what it's like at Roma!

“I was happy to come back here and therefore it was an easy decision to make. President James Pallotta has a passion for our city and our team. He greeted me at the door of his home with a Roma jersey. It was a bit tight, so I might send him a new one. It'll be a sign we have both grown…

“I hope to see 'my' Roma straight away, because the other teams are going at a great pace this season. We are a little behind and have no other option but to start strong and own our quality again. I expect a strong reaction from tomorrow.

“Scudetto or third place? We have to see how the first week goes and anything else follows on from there.

“I came back because being the Coach of Roma is wonderful. The rest that happened when I left is all cancelled. I came here because my children, three very special Roma fans, asked me to. They remained in Rome with my wife and she sent me a picture of my daughter aged four with the Giallorossi scarf round her neck."