Roma defender Antonio Rüduger was interviewed by Funke Sport and talked about his season with Roma and his future. These are his words:
How do you assess your first season in Serie A?
It was a good year. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach second place and directly qualify for the Champions League, but overall it was a positive season.
Nobody expected your growth but you received criticism, what do you think?
I do not care (about the criticism). Even in the national team I was often criticized, anyone can say what they think. The best answer to criticism was the season that I just had.
What are the main differences between the Bundesliga and Serie A?
The major differences are mainly tactical. In Italy, you focus a lot on defense, so much so that many teams adopt ‘catenaccio’. For example, when Bologna played against Roma they put everyone behind the ball, and this certainly isn’t entertaining. In the Bundesliga, instead, even teams like Darmstadt try to play openly, that’s the big difference between the two leagues.
Who was the most difficult opponent to mark?
Italians are very strong physically, and there are very good strikers even in the smaller teams. I am thinking about guys like Pavoletti of Genoa, who probably no one knows in Germany but in reality he is a name to remember. Then of course there are Higuain, Kalinic, Bacca: the stars of Serie A.
There are rumors of Chelsea.
There have been rumors on Chelsea for over three years, I can only repeat that I am happy in Rome, everything will take its course.