Roma’s Rudi Garcia backs striker Juan Iturbe after a substitution drama, but reveals he was 'expecting much more from my starters'.

Today’s game against Sassuolo represented a big chance for the Argentine to regain a starter’s shirt, but the 2-2 draw and an opaque performance led to a substitution after five minutes in the second half.

Iturbe stepped off the field visibly frustrated and he kicked an advertising board before tromping into the changing rooms.

Roma’s Rudi Garcia backs striker Juan Iturbe after a substitution drama, but reveals he was 'expecting much more from my starters'.

Today’s game against Sassuolo represented a big chance for the Argentine to regain a starter’s shirt, but the 2-2 draw and an opaque performance led to a substitution after five minutes in the second half.

Iturbe stepped off the field visibly frustrated and he kicked an advertising board before tromping into the changing rooms.

“Iturbe deserved to play because he’s been training extremely well,” said Garcia after the game.

“[The scene] just shows that he has character. Players who take to the pitch must give their utmost to be decisive and they can’t be content with their performance.

“Sanctions to the player? There are more interesting subjects to be discussed.”

The Frenchman’s attention then turned to Captain Francesco Totti, who scored his 300th goal for Roma, and to Florenzi.

“300 is an incredible number, but a goal that gave us the victory would have been more important.

“For a 39-year-old striker it’s fantastic to still be playing, and he must be ready.

“When Florenzi leaves the last game [against Barcelona in the Champions League] because of cramps, it would be stupid to let him get injured in the next match.

“I trust my entire squad, and now I have greater information on the condition of some players.

“The defensive errors? The problem is that the whole team played poorly in the first half.

“We must improve and we’ll have some video sessions on this game to show the players where they went wrong.

“I was expecting a lot more from my players, they should have shown that they deserved to start the game.”

Byandrea

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