Panucci: 'Lacking respect'
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has accused Christian Panucci of "lacking respect" for the club and his teammates after the defender refused to sit on the bench for last weekend's win over Napoli.
Panucci was not prepared to take his place among the substitutes after being left out of the starting line-up, instead choosing to watch his side's 3-0 win from the stands.
The 35-year-old, who was fined for his actions, later announced his decision to leave the Giallorossi.
"Whenever he will stay or go? That I don't know," Spalletti said. "He showed a lack of respect to me for not accepting my decision and also to the team.
"On the same bench were (Francesco) Totti, (Alberto) Aquilani, (Simone) Perrotta. Yes, that is lacking respect."
Spalletti says less than fourth is failure
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti admits he would consider it a failure if his club did not finish in the top four this season.
The Romans won 3-0 at Napoli yesterday to climb to sixth in the Serie A standings and just three points behind fourth-placed Genoa, who occupy the final Champions League qualifying spot.
"If my team don't finish fourth at the end of the season, it means we would have done less than our initial expectations," said Spalletti.
Roma finished runners-up to Inter Milan last term but a disappointing start to this campaign saw them flirting with the relegation zone early on.
However, seven wins in their last nine league matches has propelled them up the standings and Spalletti believes his team are now showing their true potential.
"Our 3-0 result at Napoli proves this team are strong," he said.
"If you do not play as a team, you would not be able to take a 3-0 result at Napoli."
Roma host Palermo on Wednesday before meeting strugglers Reggina on Sunday.
