Former Roma and Inter midfielder Radja Nainggolan believes Serie A needs Juventus as they add competitiveness to the league. The 34-year-old clashed with the Bianconeri on a number of occasions and made his dislike of the club well known, saying his goal was always’ to beat the Bianconeri’. Speaking to Tradizione Romanista, he recounted his time in the capital and shared his memories of his time at Roma:
“Now I am too old to return to Roma. I still have a home in Rome though, I could go back and live there. Rome was the place, football-wise, where I felt loved and respected.
Even for the things tha happened off the pitch. In Rome, little importance was given to that. Only what I gave on the pitch mattered, and that pushed me to give more and more.”
My Roma? We have always had very strong teams, but so were Juventus. With today’s Juventus we would always have won the Scudetto, instead we always finished second. There was so much quality.
Strootman before his injury was very strong, maybe the best on the team. De Rossi was an example of quality and he transmitted Romanism to you. Up front was Totti, who had infinite class. The only flaw was not winning anything.
My future? I don’t know. I have too many eyes on me in Belgium. I’m moving forward as I always have, I can still give so much.
Zaniolo? He’s strong but I don’t know him, now he’s doing well and he’s on a roll again. He is an important player and still has a lot to give.
Sabatini? We spoke again a little while ago. He was one of the best directors I had, he understands football. Then came the other one (Monchi, ed.) who ruined the team.
He sold all the players. I can’t even name him. If I had known he would leave shortly after that, I would have stayed.
Juve? I don’t know what the truth is. Juventus are a club that has to be in Serie A because they give you competitiveness. My goal has always been to beat them. Things from the past don’t affect me, it’s always nice to meet them.”
