Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini chose to sell Dodo to Inter this summer in a bid to protect the player from what he saw as undue criticism.
The Brazilian was offloaded to the Nerazzurri on an initial season-long loan deal, for a total value that saw some sections of the media ask questions.
Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini chose to sell Dodo to Inter this summer in a bid to protect the player from what he saw as undue criticism.
The Brazilian was offloaded to the Nerazzurri on an initial season-long loan deal, for a total value that saw some sections of the media ask questions.
For the man who negotiated his exit, there were other motivations too, as he discussed releasing the Brazilian and Erik Lamela in consecutive summer markets.
“Sales are always emotional for me and always very negative, in any case,” Sabatini has considered today to reporters.
“We are compelled, they are compelled to make choices that we lament, together even in situations that football can offer, provide great suffering.
“They are two very strong players, we also sold Marquinhos, but have been obligated to do so, but each case is a particular case.
“Dodo has been sold, but I was not mugged, because I had the conviction that the boy would not be able to grow in this environment in which he has always been lambasted.
“You are not responsible for the sale of Dodo, but I had to take into account this aspect. I made a choice that was very difficult for me, but I think I have been fair to him.
“Maybe now he would receive a performance rating of ‘7’, but here it never happened, here he took a ‘6’ when the team won 6-0.
“Maybe it was because I foolishly said he would be a champion, he was sold mainly to save his life. The others were sold for economic and technical-tactical reasons.”
Mattia Destro was also strongly linked with a move away, but ultimately stayed at the Olimpico.
“The market is always heard, I listened even on everything that revolved around Destro.
“I held meetings in relation to Destro, but in my heart there was no intention of selling him. If you ask me how I rate him, I consider him a great striker.
“I do not deny that we considered a great offer, but that in my head we were not going to sell him. It is also vanity, I like to be able to say no to great deals.”