Roma director Walter Sabatini reveals he “had negotiations” with Andrea Pirlo and Francesco Totti has "football immortality."
Roma director Walter Sabatini reveals he “had negotiations” with Andrea Pirlo and Francesco Totti has "football immortality."
They go head-to-head with Juventus” data-scaytid=”6″>Juventus today at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) and Pirlo makes his first appearance of the season, click here for the line-ups.
“We are surprised to see Pirlo from the start, but whatever their choice in midfield would’ve caused us difficulties,” Sabatini told Sky Sport Italia.
“We were in negotiations with Pirlo three years ago, but it didn’t last longer than a few minutes. When we heard his wage demands, we changed idea. At that time we could not face up to such an expense.”
Roma continue to rely on Francesco Totti, who celebrated his 38th birthday last week.
“Totti knows how to set up his teammates and over the summer we worked on the transfer market with that in mind.
“We are witnesses to Totti’s football immortality. He actually seems to have improved his fitness levels with age.
“He’s working towards playing in the new stadium. Red tape is tough in Italy, but Roma will build its own stadium.”