Roma director Walter Sabatini reveals Zdenek Zeman was his biggest regret, Coppa Italia Final shame and “laughable” refereeing at Juventus” data-scaytid=”5″>Juventus.

The director of sport sat down with Roma TV to go over his time at the club, starting from this season.

Roma director Walter Sabatini reveals Zdenek Zeman was his biggest regret, Coppa Italia Final shame and “laughable” refereeing at Juventus.

The director of sport sat down with Roma TV to go over his time at the club, starting from this season.

“The team is aware it can do extraordinary things and can prove on the field that it is stronger than Juventus.”

The Giallorossi were beaten 3-2 in Turin last month, but Sabatini said time has not been any kinder to the refereeing.

“The performances on the field said we are on a par with Juventus. Some other things happened that were frankly laughable, but we have to accept any result.

“With a different refereeing performance it would have been a different result, but if they assigned Rocchi to us again I’d have no problems, as he is a great referee.”

Roma have been through a series of tacticians before plumping for Rudi Garcia, including current Barcelona manager Luis Enrique and Cagliari” data-scaytid=”13″>Cagliari boss Zeman.

“Luis Enrique is a fair and honest person, but at times that can be his undoing,” noted Sabatini.

“Zeman is my biggest regret, as we could’ve done great things together, but then it didn’t happen. We couldn’t avoid firing him, although in a difficult year he still gave a great contribution. Both he and I are getting to that age where we could’ve built something important.”

The low point was the Coppa Italia Final defeat to Lazio, which saw them fail to qualify for Europe again.

“When Franco Baldini resigned, I thought of doing so as well. I remained out of pride, but I would’ve gone if he hadn’t. The fans needed a victim to sacrifice and a big change. I will always thank Baldini for taking me to Roma.

“That May 26 was truly a sad day, as I had to think of how to rebuild an entire team. We started with Garcia and a group of extraordinary players, both on and off the field. They feel a strong duty to bring something home.”

Sabatini has made his name signing some remarkable talents for Palermo first and then Roma.

“Javier Pastore can light up a game, but he’s doing less than I expected him to at PSG. I continue to follow Erik Lamela’s progress at Tottenham, hoping he can make his mark on the international stage. He’s struggled in England and perhaps that is not his style of football.

“Roma signed Miralem Pjanic with five minutes to go on the last day of the transfer market. It was thanks to Fenucci and Tempestilli, who followed me with private planes and a thousand phone calls, as I wanted Pjanic at all costs. That was an epic day.”

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