The axing of AS Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi was all a Zdenek Zeman ploy, it is claimed.

Former Roma star Eusebio Di Francesco believes Zeman is wanting to put a rocket up De Rossi.

"I believe Zeman's actions were simply a way of firing him up, prompting De Rossi to give his best in every single training session," current Sassuolo Coach Di Francesco told Radio Manà Manà.

"Daniele is a lovely guy and a great professional. It is absurd to put him up for debate.

"The players have not yet understood Zeman's ideas and the many changes to the squad did not help. If the results don't come, then it all becomes more difficult.

"The problem for this team is certainly psychological, as the fear sets in and they cannot react when things go wrong.

"The player who knows how to interpret Zeman's philosophy best is still Francesco Totti, who has great tactical versatility."