Former Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli does not believe in Roma’s chances in the race for a top four finish this season, believing ‘the squad are not up to it’.
The 15-point deduction handed to the Bianconeri has blown the race for a Champions League spot wide open in Serie A, giving teams like the Giallorossi, Lazio and Atalanta a serious shot of qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition. Milan’s recent drop in form also puts them at risk of missing out, raising the pressure for the final 17 games of the season.
Speaking to DAZN, Barzagli discussed Roma’s chances of securing a top four finish this season.
“I’ve never been convinced that Roma could fight for the Champions League spots. Because the squad are not up to it. They only have one team, not two like the others. They have starters and not backups.
“Dybala, those shots that he’s taken, he invented. But then it ends there. The other teams field players who move.
“Belotti? This year he’s never shown it and he’s never given guarantees.”
Roma currently sit fourth in the league table after 21 games, picking up 41 points from 12 wins and five draws. Jose Mourinho’s side have been in good form in the new year, only losing once to league leaders Napoli since the Christmas break.
The race for a Champions League finish is still hotly contested, with four teams all within four points of each other, behind Inter and Napoli.