Sabatini: Roma is my life, but I would have clashed with Gasperini

Walter Sabatini, the former Roma executive now working as a consultant for Pro Patria, has reflected on his career at the club in an interview with Corriere della Sera. On his time in the game, Sabatini said: "At Roma. It's my life, don't make me say anything else because I've developed a complex about being a boring man." Sabatini also addressed the current state of Italian football and Roma's standing. Discussing which club has the strongest squad values at present, he observed: "There is great euphoria in the Roma environment. A spiritual cohesion that makes everyone feel unbeatable. But in terms of squad quality and depth of choices, Inter are a step above everyone else." Sabatini commented on the prospect of working alongside Gasperini, the current Roma head coach, though he did not elaborate on the specifics of that assessment beyond the headline suggestion that collaboration between them would have led to friction.

Walter Sabatini, the legendary former Roma sporting director, has returned to football as a consultant at Pro Patria, the club where he finished his playing career 43 years ago. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, the 71-year-old reflected on his decision to re-enter the game and his enduring connection to Roma, where he recruited champions including Nainggolan, Dzeko, Pastore, Ilicic and Kolarov. Asked where he left his heart, Sabatini answered without hesitation: "Roma. It is my life, do not make me say anything else because I have developed a complex about being a boring man." On the prospect of working under Roma's current coach Gian Piero Gasperini, however, he was candid: "No. I have great admiration for his work as a coach but I would have come into collision course." Despite his age and health challenges, Sabatini said he feels the enthusiasm of his early days in the game. "Inside I feel the excitement of when I started working for Triestina and I was 39 years old," he said. "I would like to return to that phase of my life and create my own football laboratory." He acknowledged struggling at Pro Patria, where his dynamic ideas are not accommodated: "I need agility and speed. I am not hiding that I am finding myself uncomfortable and I do not want to waste my last years. I have entered the third, perhaps the fourth age." On evaluating talent, Sabatini insisted on trusting his eye rather than data analytics. "When I see a player I must feel something immediately at the first meeting. He must strike me like lightning. The only metric of evaluation I conceive is the eye, sensitivity, passion." Asked which player now moves him, he singled out Paulo Dybala: "A residual champion of our championship. In the Nineties we had Ronaldo, Platini, Rummenigge. Now of that lineage of phenomena, there is only Paulo in Serie A." He praised Como's Champions League debut display, saying the team displayed "a high level match proposing entertaining football and exalting its individuals." On the balance of power in Serie A, Sabatini noted that while "there is great euphoria in the Roma environment. A spiritual cohesion that makes everyone feel unbeatable," Inter stood above all others: "For the quality of the squad and depth of choices, Inter is a step above everyone." Sabatini expressed regret about his brief spell at Inter, saying he had been "a meteor—the inhabitants of the Earth did not even see me pass." He attributed the Nerazzurri's current strength to Chivu's pragmatism. Of himself, he reflected: "I am bulimic of life. A pity that my skeletal system does not assist my will. Every now and then I think back to my career and say to myself 'but you were an acrobat, not a sporting director'."

Roma's radio stations aired widespread backing for the team ahead of today's Serie A match against Torino, with key opinion-formers emphasising fitness levels and Gasperini's tactical clarity. Simone Valdarchi noted that "Gasperini has made clear once again that Dybala is the strongest and plays whenever he is fit. Torino–Roma is rightly more important than the clash with Inter." Emanuele Lulli, who suffered gastroenteritis, was in good condition yesterday and was tested on the right flank, making him the favourite ahead of Molina. Piero Torri backed Roma's chances: "With the absences of Adams and Simeone, Torino's attacking potential is reduced considerably. If Roma is the team we saw against Atalanta, I believe they have strong chances of winning today. I expect Dybala on the pitch. It's important to secure victory to arrive at full points in the big match against Inter." Riccardo Trevisani called Torino–Roma "an extremely complicated match" and ruled out major formation changes. He said: "Roma would have deserved to win 4–0 even against Atalanta. Wesley is in doubt; Molina can do well on the left for his ability to cut inside and shoot. If Gasperini sees a player is fit, he struggles to change him. The point he makes about Dybala is perfect. I don't think Gasperini will risk Koné; it's time for Pisilli." Mario Mattioli stated: "I believe the physical impact of the Champions match is relative; four days of rest are more than sufficient for perfectly trained athletes. The physical impact won't matter except perhaps in the opening minutes. I hope Castro gets used soon—it would be a shame to lose his rhythm. But I don't believe in tiredness; Roma has the numbers to impose itself, the players have entered Gasperini's system and the squad inspires confidence." Roberto Pruzzo added that Dybala is in optimal condition and that "playing on Thursday and then in the league is complicated; there's a need for Castro and Mora to be able to change the cards."

Roma travel to Torino for the fourth-round postponed fixture on 14 September, looking to extend their perfect start and consolidate their league position after three consecutive wins. The Giallorossi are coming off a 1–1 draw in Istanbul, which marked their first dropped points of the season. Roma's objective is to claim six points and maintain top place. Paulo Dybala is available for selection, while Evan N'Dicka is unavailable for the match. The fixture will be broadcast on Sky and DAZN.

Roma visit Torino in the fourth round of Serie A on 14 September, seeking to extend their perfect start to the season. The Giallorossi have won their opening three matches and will aim to reach six points and consolidate top spot, though they arrive after drawing their first match of the campaign in Istanbul. Roma's unbeaten streak gives them a strong platform heading into the fixture. Paulo Dybala is available for selection, while Manu Koné is sidelined for the trip.

Roma's radio stations have dissected Gasperini's tactics ahead of tonight's match against Torino, with particular focus on Paulo Dybala's continued presence in the starting XI and the coach's squad rotation policy. Nando Orsi argued that Roma will remain unbeaten as long as they maintain their physical condition, saying the team has adopted Gasperini's system entirely: "The way Gasp plays is this: as long as Roma is in condition they will be unbeatable, Roma has become gasperinised, it plays exactly like Atalanta. But there are moments when you have to catch your breath and there you have to be careful." Francesca Ferrazza suggested Torino are preparing defensive traps from the 1980s to stop Roma's attacking approach. Gasperini's decision to keep Dybala on the pitch for consecutive matches rather than rotate him drew extensive discussion. David Rossi noted that the coach is transmitting psychological conviction to the Argentine forward, saying Gasperini wants him to understand: "You play, you're fine, you must play. And I'll show you: I remove everyone except you." Gianluca Piacentini acknowledged concerns that hierarchy decisions could create unrest within the squad, with some players beginning to feel sidelined, yet noted that Gasperini has used almost all his squad members: "With the exception of Gollini, they have all played. With the exception of Cristante, everyone has played, including De Roon and Koulierakis." Roberto Pruzzo observed that Dybala appears in optimal condition and was specifically prepared to reach the winter break in top form. Fabio Petruzzi added that Dybala's unconditional confidence from Gasperini has improved his self-belief: "When a player goes into a challenge, if he goes in weakly he gets hurt. I saw Dybala changed, especially in his running." Mario Corsi criticised Roma's lack of a left winger, noting that Rodrigo Mora is excellent but performs a different type of role, while criticising the club's previous failures to sign other targets. Daniele Lo Monaco reported that Roma had offered €35 million plus bonuses and a resale percentage for an unspecified winger before the player joined Milan for €50 million plus bonuses instead. Tonight's fixture will test whether Roma can maintain their form against Torino's expected defensive intensity after their midweek European match.