Roma director D’Amico shrugs off Napoli, Endrick and Allegri controversy
Official: Tony D'Amico joins Roma as the club's new sporting director following four seasons with Atalanta (@ASRoma via X)
Roma director Tony D’Amico shrugs off talk of an Endrick approach to Real Madrid and Napoli coach Max Allegri’s refereeing accusations, insisting they ‘must focus’ on beating Udinese.
It kicks off at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).
The Giallorossi are torn between preserving the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and keeping up with the joint leaders in Serie A.
Only Gianluca Mancini is therefore rested after the 4-2 midweek round win over Cagliari, with the usual Paulo Dybala, Mile Svilar, Manu Koné and Lorenzo Pellegrini still out injured.
Roma director looks to future
“We are happy with how the young lads are growing, and with so many games, it was important to have more options,” D’Amico told DAZN Italia.
“Paulo needs a few more days than we had expected, but he ought to be back midweek. It’s a pity, as with so many games we were missing a precious resource, but these things happen.
“Mario Hermoso is an important player for us, not just on a Sunday, but throughout the week to help those younger elements to mature. We will sit down at the right time and discuss his contract.”
Udinese lost six games in a row and then held Parma to a 0-0 draw in the midweek round, so they are a team in crisis, but that doesn’t mean this’ll be simple for Roma.
“We are up against an Udinese side who are tough to face, very physical, and in their circumstances may well defend deep, so we need quality to get out of that situation.”
This is the kind of quality that could be provided by Endrick, as Roma continue to be heavily linked with a January loan move for the Brazil international.
“It is difficult to think about names right now, there’s a long way to go. Endrick is a very strong Real Madrid player, but we need to concentrate on ourselves, because we play every three days and there will be time for the market,” assured D’Amico.
He was asked about the reported comments made by an angry Napoli coach Max Allegri after the 3-3 draw, where he shouted that Roma had received favourable refereeing decisions last season to push his Milan side out of the Champions League places.
“We are concentrated on ourselves. We’re accustomed to working hard and then the final result is what you deserve on the field,” replied D’Amico.
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