Roma director Mauro Baldissoni insists the board is right behind coach Luciano Spalletti.

Baldissoni was forced to react after criticism of Spalletti from president James Pallotta.

"The President spoke in a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere in New York and the transcripts made it seem different," insisted Baldissoni.

“He meant that players with the attitude of gladiators run out of gas because we've had a complex fixture list and injuries limiting options. He wanted to protect the players, not suggest they were incompetent or had suddenly lost their talent.

“When he saw how his words had been transcribed, he wanted to speak to Roma Radio in order to clarify the situation. He was certainly not criticising the squad.

“The American owners bought a club with a few financial and technical difficulties, as the squad was ageing. We are trying to become competitive and hurry the process along, seeing as Roma inevitably must have big ambitions."