James Pallotta reflects on his belief Roma are stronger than Juventus, and who is faster between Gervinho and Juan Iturbe.
The Giallorossi were defeated 3-2 by the Old Lady on Sunday evening to fall three points behind them in the title race, but leave their President confident moving forward.
James Pallotta reflects on his belief Roma are stronger than Juventus, and who is faster between Gervinho and Juan Iturbe.
The Giallorossi were defeated 3-2 by the Old Lady on Sunday evening to fall three points behind them in the title race, but leave their President confident moving forward.
“For me, we were even stronger, the challenge on Sunday told us this, despite the defeat at the end,” Pallotta has told the Gazzetta dello Sport today.
“Is the Scudetto ours to win? We can win it, sure, I believe that. There may be refereeing mistakes just like there are errors from the players, they must be accepted.
“But in Turin I never had the impression of being inferior to Juventus. And I would have had the same idea even if Totti had missed his penalty or Gervinho had not assisted Iturbe.
“We are very strong, with so much talent. And we can only get better. Many of our guys have been playing together for just a year.”
The President was reminded of an impending Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich and asked if he was worried.
“And why should I be? If today Munich are scared of Roma, it means that we are using our talent well. Benatia returns, we know the circumstances that led to his transfer. But we have to respect him for what he has given us, the past year he has been one of our best.
“We have to grow culturally and elevate ourselves. The past is the past, we have to show that we have class. Because we have it.”
In the interview released today, where Pallotta discussed a number of issues including the fallout from the Juventus defeat, he was also asked the most pressing issue in the capital at the moment – who is faster between Gervinho and Juan Iturbe?
“Come on, I will explain. Gervinho disorients opponents running, turning, he sends them down like this.
“Itrube has a different run, he is like Usain Bolt over 100 metres, goes straight to the goal and he will not stop.
“When you have two like this, for Totti it is a delight, certainly he knows how the balls to provide them with.
“I don’t know who is faster between the two. Maybe at the Christmas party we can organise a challenge and find out there…”