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Former Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has admitted that he is "embarrassed" by the form of attacking midfielder Javier Pastore.
Pastore was signed by Monchi in the summer of 2018 as a replacement for the Inter-bound Radja Nainggolan, but his debut season in Rome has been plagued by injury, lack of consistency, and a poor attitude that has seen him refuse to fight for his place. Sabatini - the man who originally brought Pastore to Italy when he was with Palermo - has revealed his own disappointment in the Argentine playmaker. Speaking to Teleradiostereo, he said: "Pastore's performance embarrasses me very much. I was lucky enough to see him play and dominate the pitch. I saw stadiums standing for him, away, such as when he was applauded in Florence. "I'm very sorry to see him play like this, I told him, he has to set about his Argentine pride to go back and return to his levels. "To play as he knows, he must do something, no-one can help him. Pastore needs to play well to be appreciated. He isn't a running defensive midfielder, he is an offensive phantom, an all-out playmaker. "He has an exceptional level, but he must always stay close to the ball. "He would be well-matched with [Sampdoria coach Marco] Giampaolo's style of play, but I'll stop there because then maybe you'll create situations that I don't want." Sabatini - who played for Roma in the 1976-77 season - was also asked how he thinks the Giallorossi will fare over the rest of the season. "[Roma will end the season] entering the Champions League, hoping to pass the round with Porto. The team is healthy and ultimately also lucky, which is a relevant component. Roma will go to the Champions League [places in Serie A] and reach the quarter-finals." The 63-year-old's spell as Roma sporting director brought mixed results, but one of his most successful purchases was striker Edin Dzeko, who has gone on to achieve a place in the club's all-time top 10 goalscorers. "The operation [to sign him] was born because I had the feeling that Roma needed a new hero after Totti. It's hard for a team like Roma without a hero, but the salary of the player and pricetag were heavy for that Roma. But in the end we concluded the deal well." With Monchi expected by some to leave Roma at the end of the season, Sabatini has been tentatively linked with a return to the Giallorossi sporting director role, but he was coy when quizzed about it. "What's that got to do with anything, let me do my job. Forza Roma!"
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