Former AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi feels AS Roma are suffering from an ageing squad.

Sacchi was asked why Roma are trailing Juventus in the standings.

"I don't look at their adversaries, I look at how they behave," said Sacchi. "They are completely lacking in the defensive phase.

"If they had the same organisation as Empoli when facing opponents with the ball, they'd already be ahead of Juve.

"Some of their fundamental players from last season now have one more year on their shoulders - [Morgan] De Sanctis, [Douglas] Maicon, [Daniele] De Rossi, [Francesco] Totti, not to mention [Ashley] Cole and [Seydou] Keita.

"Gervinho is still important, but he goes off on his own a bit too much. And the team is unable to keep the same rhythms as last year. Sometimes many of them just walk.

"They lost the brilliance that characterised them. Their liveliness and their enthusiasm was translated into their performances and therefore into results."