Roma director Walter Sabatini hopes the 6-1 in Barcelona can be a learning experience and “excludes a collapse in self-esteem.”
The drubbing was reminiscent of the 7-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Roma director Walter Sabatini hopes the 6-1 in Barcelona can be a learning experience and “excludes a collapse in self-esteem.”
The drubbing was reminiscent of the 7-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
“We had a similar negative experience last season, but must go forward and I exclude a collapse in self-esteem. We’ve got to turn things around from the next game and tonight were against an extraordinary team,” Sabatini told Mediaset Premium.
“With the result in Borisov, it made us realise a defeat here wouldn’t matter anyway and that changed our attitude too. Perhaps it didn’t help in the end.
“No excuses, though, because the players know they can give more.”
Sabatini hugged Barcelona tactician Luis Enrique after the final whistle and said he “taught us some things” this evening.
“I told my former Coach Luis that every game teaches you things, especially one like this. It helps us understand where the limitations are the players learn too. They will admit they didn’t play their best game.
“Every defeat doesn’t need to have someone to blame. We didn’t play very well, but the fans kept singing even when it was 6-1 and that was remarkable. I can only thank them for their attitude.”
Roma have conceded 16 goals in five Champions League games, so it’s more than just a Barcelona issue.
“That is a problem the Coach is trying to resolve, but the defence is not entirely to blame, as the whole team has to work and cover them.
“Tonight was negative, but the team has always worked hard otherwise. It’s true we tend to concede a lot, but we also create and score a lot too.”