Roma Coach Rudi Garcia says Victor Ibarbo ‘can become a champion’, but Kevin Strootman is out for the season.
The Giallorossi have signed Ibarbo from Cagliari, and Seydou Doumbia from CSKA Moscow in recent days, and the Coach believes both will give his side something extra.
“There’s nothing to say about Doumbia,” Garcia said in an interview with Roma Radio ahead of the Coppa Italia tie with Fiorentina.
Roma Coach Rudi Garcia says Victor Ibarbo ‘can become a champion’, but Kevin Strootman is out for the season.
The Giallorossi have signed Ibarbo from Cagliari, and Seydou Doumbia from CSKA Moscow in recent days, and the Coach believes both will give his side something extra.
“There’s nothing to say about Doumbia,” Garcia said in an interview with Roma Radio ahead of the Coppa Italia tie with Fiorentina.
“The numbers speak for themselves. At the end of next week he’ll return [from the Africa Cup of Nations], along with Gervinho.
“For me, Ibarbo can become a champion, [but] I have to consider whether he’s ready, I won’t take risks with him.
“If he can help us tomorrow, so be it, but I have to assess him.”
Garcia also revealed that Kevin Strootman will miss the rest of the season, and discussed his team’s struggles with just one win in their last six Serie A games.
“We have to work, if we play the whole match the way we’ve been playing in the second half then we’ll improve.
“We need the fans now. It’s a pleasure for us to make them happy, but now we need their help. The team expects it, if they don’t get behind us things could get worse.
“We’ve got players missing, but we’re strong and the players always give 100 per cent. I always hear things about plots, but the fans shouldn’t be fooled, the dressing room is united, we know that we’re going through a bad time, but we’ll come out the other side.
“Kevin, unfortunately, won’t be back until next season, looking forward we must do more in the League and in the Coppa Italia tomorrow.
“If you’re not winning, you have to shut up, and work hard to get back to winning, then you can talk again.
“However, the team is giving everything. We can make mistakes, but what we can’t do is surrender on the park.
“Again, I ask for the fans’ help. We’ll do everything to support the lads in the stands, we’ll show that we never give up, even when faced with difficulties.
“We’ll do everything to make our fans proud, it’s weird to say now, but I want Roma to be the footballing centre of Italy.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and nor will Roma be, but we mustn’t give up, even with all these difficulties, we believe, along with millions of Roma fans around the world.”