Walter Sabatini, the former Giallorossi sporting director between 2011 and 2016, made some statements to gianlucadimarzio.com about some of his former players who are now staples of Brazil. Starting with Alisson, a goalkeeper he met in his Roma days.
“He did not start as a starter in the Giallorossi. Coming from Brazil he had to acquire some European technique. And then in front of him was Szczęsny. The Brazilian got nervous but I told him he would play in the cups. He did and that’s where he became great. Really a great goalkeeper and a wonderful human being. In the beginning there were misunderstandings but that can happen. I wanted him to work with Marco Savorani, an outstanding goalkeeping coach. A devotee of technique and knowing how to be in goal.”
Then there is Gerson, a Flamengo midfielder who arrived at Roma with high expectations. “He was a ‘pretty’ player. In Rome they made fun of him and he was despised. While in life he is proving to be a true champion. Just see that today he is the captain of his team.”
Marquinhos, on the other hand, fresh winner of the 2025 Champions League with PSG, arrived in the Capital as a very youngster. “Those were the days of Zeman. I got him a little earlier but there was some paperwork to go through being a non-EU player. It took a few days. He was 18 years old, he was a kid. He put on the Roma jersey and never took it off again.”
Source: Gianlucadimarzio.com
Article Sabatini: “Gerson true champion but at Roma he was laughed at and despised. Alisson? He did not start and got nervous…” comes from Giallorossi.net | AS Roma News, Football and Exclusives.
