President Rosella Sensi puts Roma in a training camp and “demands effort, professionalism and dignity out of respect for the fans.”
The note was published on the club website after last night’s disastrous 4-1 defeat at Fiorentina, which effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
“I think Roma need to take stock of what is a very bitter campaign,” began President Sensi’s response.
“We know full well that we played the season with half the squad injured and others sacrificing themselves by playing in different positions or in precarious condition, but now is the time to turn the page.
“I am not interested in talking about the Champions League or UEFA Cup spots. What I do want is to demand effort, professionalism and dignity out of respect for the fans who once again travelled in vast numbers to Florence.”
Sensi has ordered the squad into a pre-match training camp at Trigoria, where players must eat, work and sleep in the club headquarters, and it could be indefinite.
“That effort and professionalism must be present from Sunday more than ever. The team will be placed in a ritiro and could well stay there until the end of the season, because we need important responses for the present and the future.”
One of the statistics that most infuriated President Sensi was the 12 red cards, the latest going to David Pizarro against Fiorentina.
“This team has committed fewer fouls than any other in Serie A, so I want to understand how we received 12 red cards, almost all for dissent or other examples of a bad attitude. These often compromise possible comebacks after we have gone behind.
“[Luciano] Spalletti is an educator and I respect him, so I invite him to show the players back these moments that cost them the red cards.
“If it is true that we have lost half our squad to injury, it is also the case that nobody can win when playing for a third of the season with 10 men.
“If we count the goals conceded early on, then something clearly is not working in everyone’s concentration.
“The club will always play its part and is honouring the economic pledges taken to guarantee the side is competitive on a national and international level, but at this point we demand a professional response equal to the wages paid in terms of football and discipline.”
|
