Roma President James Pallotta blames the media for the atmosphere at the club, and backs Coach Rudi Garcia.
The Giallorossi have fallen nine points behind Juventus in the table, with fans unhappy and Garcia allegedly under pressure after declaring that Roma would lift the title, a sentiment which the President later echoed.
Roma President James Pallotta blames the media for the atmosphere at the club, and backs Coach Rudi Garcia.
The Giallorossi have fallen nine points behind Juventus in the table, with fans unhappy and Garcia allegedly under pressure after declaring that Roma would lift the title, a sentiment which the President later echoed.
“It’s only a problem for the media, it’s they who create it,” Pallotta told reporters outside an American Chamber of Commerce event in Milan.
“The only ones who see a problem are them and a few fans, who maybe aren’t real fans either. Most other people don’t think that way.
“I’ve met 30 [Roma fans] in Milan, and for them it’s ok, the team is trying and this is just a phase. We’re still second in the table.
“Every year the goal must be to win the Scudetto, I don’t see what the problem is [with what was said]. Sometimes you win and sometimes you can’t.
“Do you think that Rudi was a God last year, and is now the devil incarnate? I don’t think so, it’s just a period where we’ve had a few draws, we’ll get back to winning.”
The American entrepreneur also discussed the violence caused by Feyenoord fans in the first leg of their Europa League tie, and Roma fans not to retaliate in kind.
“It was disgusting, embarrassing, and I hope the Roma fans don’t do the same. I hope they behave like in Munich and Manchester where they were great.
“We have to show that our supporters are civilised, to go to Rotterdam seeking revenge is just stupid.
“What the Feyenoord fans did over a game was disgusting and ridiculous, and in my opinion they should pay for the damage caused.
“For Roma fans to seek revenge for what happened is stupid, some Feyenoord fans have shown disrespect, but not all of them, just a bunch of them who damaged the historic treasures of Rome, acting like complete idiots.
“Our fans are so much better [than that] and I have no worries about what they’ll do.”