His words: “At this moment, the real problem with Roma, more than the standing situation, is that there is no team solidarity.”

Francesco “Ciccio” Graziani gave an interview to Diretta News, discussing the malaise of Bove last week and the season of Roma. Here are his words:

Hard not to start from Edoardo Bove and his sickness: what did you feel? “A lot of emotion, a lot of fear, the images I’ve experienced with Giancarlo Antognoni came back to my mind. I was on the field at that moment, and hence, I relived a nightmare. Fortunately, the news about the boy’s health is now good: he’s out of life-threatening danger and that is indeed the most beautiful miracle. Then, from what is being said, they will have to install a defibrillator and, if that is the case, he will no longer be able to play football in Italy.”

“How can his Roma salvage the season? Do you believe Ranieri can make everyone agree?” “If results come in, yes, otherwise Ranieri will also be in trouble, results are what make football. Now, Roma has a significant opportunity as it plays some crucial survival matches. Today, Roma is playing to avoid relegation – the standing in the league table is as it is, bang in the relegation zone. After the match with Lecce, they head to Como for another survival clash, and subsequently, they’ll host Parma at home which is yet another survival battle. If they manage to secure six points in these games, it would give them a significant boost up the rankings. However, if they fall short gaining less, and the situation remains exactly as it is now, it would mean that even Ranieri’s strategy has not been effective. “Was it right to trust a ferryman until the end of the season or would it have been better to start a long-term project right away? “Absolutely yes. In fact, I would have brought back De Rossi, but there is no better person than Ranieri to be able to manage the company and the team”. Several weeks have passed now: what is your take on De Rossi’s dismissal? “They acted very hastily, a company of amateurs because you cannot renew a coach’s contract three months in advance for three years and then, after four matches that started poorly, you send him home. It’s a contradiction, but it’s their money, they can do whatever they want, but they’re giving it away.” Right now, the real issue with Roma, beyond their current standing, is the lack of organization within the club. The Friedkins, father and son, are nowhere to be seen, and we have a sports director who speaks only French and occasionally throws in a smattering of Italian. “Things couldn’t have gone any worse.” This is reminiscent of the Roma-Lecce game of 1986 that cost the championship and the 1984 Roma-Liverpool match which cost the Champion’s Cup. Is the defeat against Lecce more painful or the one in the final against the Reds? “All defeats are painful. It’s clear that the one in the Champions Cup burns.”  The defeat against Lecce may be acceptable, as it’s not the first time a major club loses to a relegated team. However, when you lose a Champions Cup and also miss a crucial penalty, it’s clear that the regret is much greater.

How can it be explained that two of the most painful losses in Roma’s history happened at the Olympic Stadium? Is the pressure from the local supporters different than elsewhere? “No, no. Playing in Rome is fantastic, there’s a warmth, a sense of incredible enthusiasm, and the Romanites are a group who often only criticize you if you don’t make an effort, otherwise they accept everything. The Roma supporters are extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and the enthusiasm that envelops the team is fantastic. “In my opinion, there’s no pressure, it’s only enthusiasm,”