Tiago Pinto on Bonucci and Renato Sanches issues for Roma

Roma director of sport Tiago Pinto refuses to discuss the Leonardo Bonucci move and hints Renato Sanches could be released early to PSG.

The showdown with Juventus kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium at 19.45 GMT.

The first question inevitably was about the decision of the Italian Government to let the Growth Decree lapse, removing the financial incentives to save taxes on the salary of players who come in from abroad.

“As a foreigner in this country, it is not up to me to criticise those who were democratically elected to make the decisions for Italy,” Tiago Pinto told DAZN.

“As a man of football, I think it is a big mistake. You just have to look at recent years where we have been able to compete with leagues who have a very different financial reality to ours, like the Premier League.

“Last season we had three Italian teams in the UEFA Finals, the Under-20 Italy squad reached the World Cup Final, the Under-19 Italy side won the European Championship. That means we can do it all.

“I am not an expert politically, but I can say that in terms of football this is a real blow.”

It had seemed a done deal for Bonucci to arrive from Union Berlin, but after Roma fans staged several protests, Jose Mourinho agreed the move was effectively abandoned.

“I have many defects as a director of sport, but I also have one important plus and that is I tell the truth. It is true that we need a defender, it is also true that we have a Settlement Agreement with UEFA and a transfer balance we need to stick to.

“We already have to leave two players off the Europa League squad list because of that and the Serie A list is full, so we are working on it. I will try to be creative to find a solution that suits the coach and the club to keep everything in balance.

“I do not want to talk about Bonucci.”

Renato Sanches is on the bench this evening, but there have been strong reports he will be returned to Paris Saint-Germain six months early into his one-season loan due to a series of injury problems.

“Renato has always been a great player in my eyes and always will be, it doesn’t matter how the story ends. When he arrived, we were all aware of the limitations that he had,” replied Tiago Pinto.

“The staff worked well with him, but when the transfer window opens and some players want more time on the field, everything is to be evaluated.

“From the first day to the last, I tried to take responsibility for my players, especially when things do not go well.”

This is the final match of 2023 and the big question remains the future of Mourinho, whose contract only runs to the end of the season.

“I always said the same thing on this situation, we need to discuss it internally. It is not the moment to make wishes for 2024, other than to win this game and start 2024 on the right foot.

“The future is today and things will be clarified at the right time.”