Roma President Jim Pallotta landed in Italy and discussed the new stadium, Umberto Gandini and the “stupid” goals conceded.
The patron spoke to PagineRomaniste as he arrived at Ciampino Airport and seemed excited about the appointment of ex-Milan director Umberto Gandini as CEO.
“This week’s about the stadium and Umberto. We have to hold a Press conference, we’ll do one this week, probably Thursday.
Roma President Jim Pallotta landed in Italy and discussed the new stadium, Umberto Gandini and the “stupid” goals conceded.
The patron spoke to PagineRomaniste as he arrived at Ciampino Airport and seemed excited about the appointment of ex-Milan director Umberto Gandini as CEO.
“This week’s about the stadium and Umberto. We have to hold a Press conference, we’ll do one this week, probably Thursday.
“There is no news about any of the contracts. Everything’s good with the players and the Coach. Everything I’ve been reading in the papers, I don’t understand at all, because everything’s been fine.”
Roma crashed out of the Champions League to Porto and fumbled a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Cagliari in Serie A.
“I thought the team played great the first time against Porto. We were playing down to 10 men, we were 1-0 up and they end up scoring one goal.
“The next game we come out and win 4-0, the second half was spectacular (against Udinese).
“In the second leg against Porto unfortunately we give up that goal, but a red card and another red card kills you no matter what. If you remember we were down to nine men and still had three chances to score and equalise, so that means we were playing pretty well.
“That is until a stupid play allowed the second goal at the 75th minute or something. So we weren’t playing badly. In the next game (at Cagliari) it was a little let-down, we were 2-0 up and it was stupid the way we lost.
“Y’know, stuff happens. The team is a good team. I don’t know why everybody’s freaking out. We’ll see how the players are, a lot of them have been away.
“Of course qualifying for the Champions League is the main objective for this season.”
Are Roma targeting success in the Europa League?
“It’s tough in the Europa League, we’ll see, we’ve got to stay healthy and motivated. I can understand a let-down, as they’re expecting to be in the Champions League, there was a let-down and a couple of stupid things happened, but it’s a very, very good team.
“It’d be nice to have some of the guys back from injury too.”
Pallotta seemed irritated when asked about Walter Sabatini’s situation, as the director had declared several months ago he wanted to move on.
“Walter has another year on his contract. He’ll leave if we have a discussion and agree that he leaves or he’ll stay if we discuss and agree that he stays, but he has a contract. I am not worried about these things right now.
“Gandini is in his first week, it’s great to have him and I think he’ll be a home run. He’ll be someone who will talk to you a lot. We’ve got to get him acclimated and a bunch of other meetings we have set up.”
Pallotta was also asked about the barriers inside the Stadio Olimpico and the on-going attempts to get permission from the council for a new purpose-built arena.
“I think we’re on a great path with the stadium. Everything we’ve gotten in the last month or so is that we’re on our timetable to get the stadium built, even maybe a little earlier, so we’re very excited about that.
“I want the Curva Sud back. The players want them, everybody wants them. It’s not our stadium, so there’s only so much we can do.”