Walter Sabatini, the well-respected former sporting director, shared his views on the current state of Serie A with Gazzetta dello Sport, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of various teams. Known for his deep passion for football, Sabatini expressed how much he misses being involved in the sport, stating, “I miss it a lot, as much as I miss oxygen. For me, football has always been this.”
Reflecting on the ongoing season, Sabatini described Serie A as “wonderful,” filled with competitive teams and surprises. He praised Atalanta for their potential, saying they are “strong and self-aware,” but cautioned them against becoming “prisoners of superstition.” He encouraged them to openly discuss their Scudetto ambitions: “The word ‘Scudetto’ can be mentioned and believed in.”
While Atalanta shows promise, Sabatini still considers Inter Milan the most competitive team in the league. He acknowledged their quality and depth, stating, “Absolutely, the Nerazzurri remain the primary candidates for the Scudetto.” However, he also noted unexpected vulnerabilities in Inter’s defense this season: “They have displayed some weaknesses, yet these are issues that can be addressed. Plus, they have an outstanding coach.”
Sabatini’s assessment of Juventus was more complex. He described them as a paradox: “I like them; they’re a bit cumbersome and struggle to find the goal, but they always play the game. Soon they’ll start chipping away at points.” He expressed concern about some players’ performances, specifically mentioning Koopmeiners: “Koopmeiners has been a mere presence so far; he hasn’t made a significant impact.”
When discussing Roma’s struggles despite significant investment in players, Sabatini was critical of their transfer strategy. He remarked, “The only player with substance is Koné… The others are all aggregates; there are no players who can make a difference.” He expressed skepticism about Dovbyk’s ability to help Roma succeed: “A good player, but he doesn’t have the happy and graceful play… It’s not with the Dovbyks that you win championships.”
Sabatini also touched on broader issues within Italian football culture. He lamented that young players face harsher criticism than their counterparts in other countries: “In Europe, if a young player has a bad game, nobody condemns him; here in Italy, he’s already in the stands the following Sunday.”
On Roma’s current situation under manager Claudio Ranieri, Sabatini emphasized the need for improvement: “The team is more combative now; soon results will come.” He believes Ranieri has given Roma an identity back but insists they must find joy in scoring again.
Sabatini concluded by expressing his unwavering love for football and readiness to return if called upon. “I would leave immediately. I’m a football man and I’ll die of football until my last days,” he said.
