'Many players don't deserve to wear the shirt' - Zabatini blasts Roma side after Juventus thrashing

'Many players don't deserve to wear the shirt' - Sabatini blasts Roma side after Juventus thrashing

30 Sep 2012 15:20:00

The 57-year-old insisted that the team must "immediately change trajectory" if they are to gel as a unit and get their Scudetto campaign back on track after defeat to the Old Lady

Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has slammed his side after their thrashing at the hands of Juventus, stating that many players did "not deserve to wear the shirt".

The Giallorossi were humbled in Turin on Saturday evening, as an early blitz from the Serie A champions sent them on their way to a 4-1 win, leaving the 57-year-old to condemn the attitude of the players and call on them to learn from the defeat - and quickly.

“Many players don’t deserve to wear the shirt,” he told Mediaset Premium. “We have to immediately change trajectory. Immediately.

“In the space of a few minutes, we suffered two upper-cuts, then the team just disappeared. We ask our players to react. Let's not get discouraged.

“This team is competitive and we know that we can play with anyone. We just have to learn from this defeat and change tack.”

Despite his side's lacklustre showing, the former Stadio Olimpico player has defended coach Zdenek Zeman after criticism of his tactics, insisting that the team is still in transition.

“I am referring to a squad that is midway through the process and still trying to absorb certain concepts," he continued.

“We are not yet gelled as a team, but must face every game with a different spirit. Right now.

“It is evident that we’re behind schedule. Roma need to step on to the pitch with the right attitude and motivation.

“We emerge from this evening with great suffering, but have to find a solution.”