The former Roma sporting director: “The coach stimulates the environment in this way, he was good at convincing fans who didn’t love him. Venturino and Vaz are two talents, he’s building a championship future”
He knows Ricky Massara very well, he respects Gian Piero Gasperini and he knows that divisions have been the order of the day in the capital since ancient times. Walter Sabatini was one of the most important managers in the history of the Giallorossi and worked with the current sporting director of Roma for almost ten years. Today Sabatini is a careful observer of market dynamics, and not only that.
At the moment there seems to be a conflict between Massara and Gasperini. What do you think?
“The contrast has existed for a long time, it seems to me to be a fairly repetitive phenomenon in today’s football. It often happens that we complain in public. But Gasperini’s is also a way of being, of negotiating. I think it is also a strategy, not too elegant I must admit.”
Is there a risk that Gasp could leave at the end of the season?
“I don’t think so. He’s always communicated like this, he also did it in Bergamo to stimulate the environment. I don’t think he’s dissatisfied with the transfer market, it’s part of his working method. Gasperini has always built over time and will continue to do so even with these attitudes. In fact, next season he will have the advantage of being able to identify the players earlier and better understand the noises of this city.”
Would he have clashed with her?
“I thought about bringing him to Roma in the first year of Pallotta’s management, but our characters wouldn’t have married well. However, he managed to win the affection of the fans, this is a merit in a place that didn’t love him. Instead, I regret not having taken Sarri and Bielsa, even if at different times.”
But can we say that Massara is promoted or not?
“Ah, for me there are no doubts. Roma made the best transfer market in Serie A but if I say so then they accuse me of nepotism. Massara put together a thoughtful and coherent transfer market that understood the needs of the team itself. Roma already played well, they had their own identity, but they needed a different depth in attack to have more solutions during the matches. Today the department is decidedly more complete and has physically strong players like Malen and Vaz and with speed and dribbling like Zaragoza.”
Among the unsuccessful negotiations was that for Raspadori.
“Important player, but when you have doubts about coming to play for Roma something is wrong. I would have immediately abandoned the negotiation, you have to have a ferocious desire to play for that shirt.”
Some time ago he defined Massara as “the Salah of managers”.
“And I still think so today. Massara is someone who works without hysteria, he doesn’t let himself be influenced by pressure. He achieved important objectives and gave coherence to the project. Then in this field you also need a bit of luck, you don’t always have it.”
The risk is that someone will have to leave in June due to the limits of Financial Fair Play.
“I hope not Koné. He must be the future of the midfield: he plays as a defensive player, he reminds me a bit of Nainggolan. But there is only one of Radja. Another one who changes matches is Wesley, he grows from match to match.”
You brought Nainggolan in January 2014. Can Malen be compared to the Belgian in terms of impact today?
“As I said, there is only one Radja, but the Dutchman is a really interesting player and will make an important contribution. I see him making movements on the pitch that are like algorithms. I use this term so everyone is happy…”.
“To those who think that data tells everything. To see the qualities of a footballer you still need to observe, smell his scent. Then the data can help.”
Do you also think that Venturino and Vaz are too young to help out in the present?
“For footballers there is only one value: that they are good. And Vaz and Venturino are. The latter seems more ready to me, in Udine he gave me the idea that he can be useful today. Vaz is a diamond in the rough, but he has natural talent. You will see that he will entertain all the Roma fans in a short time.”
How is Vergara doing in Naples?
“That’s it, exactly. That’s the answer to those who say that young people don’t find space in Italy. If you’re strong you’ll definitely find space, you have the attention if you deserve it. Vergara is impressive, he has formidable numbers and Conte knows it well. Another player who already knows how to move is Arena, the goal he scored against Torino proves it.”
Speaking of young people, amazed by De Rossi?
“How can you be amazed? I always knew he was a great coach, it’s in his blood. Genoa are strong tactically and emotionally. Sooner or later we’ll see him again in Rome.”
In conclusion, is this Roma now worth the Champions League?
“Without a doubt, the squad was like that even before the transfer market and Gasperini remains an added value. Having said that, the Champions League must be the minimum objective for Roma. They are building for the future and I see an important hope of being able to fight for the Scudetto.”
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