AS Roma president Jim Pallotta last night launched a passionate defence of his players when he addressed the media after watching the team qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2010-11.

Speaking directly to the press in the mixed zone area of the Stadio Olimpico after the 0-0 draw with BATE Borisov, Pallotta said: “I wish on a daily basis that some of you would leave these guys alone. They’re a good group of guys.

"There are a lot of good, great young men and it’s just seriously getting tired on a day by day basis the stuff that some continue to make up and keep beating on these guys. It’s frustrating when you come in here and they’re getting whistled at when they pass it back to the goalie or something like that because of the stuff that has been written or is being said on the radios all the time.

"At some point, some of you guys have to grow up and start treating them with the respect that they all deserve. They’re in the round of 16 right now, they work hard at it, they all give a shit about it, and all of us do too, but at some point you have to stop beating them up.”