AS Roma coach Rudi Garcia has defended their recent form slump.

Garcia argued the transfer window and African Cup of Nations contributed to their poor form.

"Our choices on the market were excellent, but the timing could not be controlled. We didn't know at the start of December that Gervinho would be in the African Cup of Nations to the Final, then Victor Ibarbo got injured after two days.

"Responsibility for results is down to everyone, both positive and negative. We're all on the same boat.

"We are working long-term to build a great Roma for the future. We are working towards this, not to win a Scudetto once every 30 years. We want to fight for the title every year.