Former Roma midfielder Gonzalo Villa recounted his best years in the Italian capital.
In a recent interview with Gianlucadimarzio.it, Villar went over the years spent at Roma, his desire to come back, Paulo Fonseca’s impact on his career and the possibility to play again under Daniele De Rossi’s orders.
“They were two important years of my life, I think about them often. I have become a Giallorossi fan: I always watch Roma play and hope that this season we can achieve great results,” said the Spanish midfielder who collected 64 appearances before moving away from the club on a permanent deal in January of last year.
“It’s a shame I left, because I think De Rossi would have given me a chance to start again,” he added.
“De Rossi? We have spoken several times recently. I told him that I would have liked to work with him, and he said the same about me, he would have liked to have me in his squad. He has some good football ideas, I’m sure he will become a great coach.”
“Villar’s golden year was Paulo Fonseca’s last with the Giallorossi, 2020-21 season. Gonzalo played 47 games and also became a permanent starter in the U21 national team with De La Fuente. “I felt very good, on the pitch I repaid the trust that the coach gave me. I played carefree and with a smile.”
“With Mkhitaryan, Pellegrini and Veretout, we had fun in the middle. We missed a few victories against the big teams, it’s a shame not having beaten United in the Europa League semi-final remains a great memory.”
“Fonseca? With him, Milan gets a good coach. Not a “name”, but a real football man. I wish him well, but from my heart I hope that Roma can finish even higher than his Milan.”
“Mourinho? Always being on the bench for twenty days is a hard blow on a mental level. The spark didn’t come with Mou, I felt that from day one there was something about me that he didn’t like. I worked a lot every day to try to have a opportunity but it never came.”
“My dream? From the bottom of my heart I want to go back to Roma: my career was cut down at the peak of my form. I hope to be able to reopen that page one day, I feel like I still have a lot to say as a footballer.”
