Sabatini: ‘All Juve goals invalid’

Roma director Walter Sabatini insists “all the Juventus goals were clearly invalid” in a 3-2 defeat.

The Bianconeri converted two penalties with Carlos Tevez, with challenges that might or might not have been in the box, while Leonardo Bonucci’s late volley was scored with Arturo Vidal in an offside position arguably blocking the goalkeeper’s view.

Roma director Walter Sabatini insists “all the Juventus goals were clearly invalid” in a 3-2 defeat.

The Bianconeri converted two penalties with Carlos Tevez, with challenges that might or might not have been in the box, while Leonardo Bonucci’s late volley was scored with Arturo Vidal in an offside position arguably blocking the goalkeeper’s view.

“It’s scientific that neither of two penalties for Juve should’ve been given, just as Bonucci’s beautiful goal had Vidal offside,” Sabatini told Sky Sport Italia.

“There was a mutation in space and time! All joking aside, we accept the defeat and the quality of Juventus, but all the goals were clearly invalid, despite Rocchi being a good referee.

“I cannot resolve the problems of football. We accept the defeat, but it is evident there’s going to be talk about the incidents, as they are so clear…

“We bring home the result, but the two penalties didn’t exist and the winner should’ve been disallowed. I understand the media will be fired up hearing me as director of sport at Roma saying all three goals should’ve been revoked. I admired Bonucci’s great volley, as I am a man of football.

“We knew this was going to be a game played not so much on a technical level, as there was so much tension. We could’ve and should’ve done better, so we will work to improve our approach to this type of game.”

Roma lost to Juve, who are now three points clear at the top of the table with a 100 per cent record.

“Are Roma dented by this? Absolutely not. We played on a par with Juventus and this was the game that allowed us to get a better look at what our possibilities really are.

“We’re missing points, but satisfied with the performance.”