Radja Nainggolan, former Cagliari midfielder, spoke of his career: the statements
Host to FantaLab Radja Nainggolanformer midfielder of Cagliari and, among others, of Roma e Interspoke of his career and midfielders who play today in Serie A. Here are his declarations:
The comparison with MCTOMINAY – “If I can intervene, the comparison with MCTOMINAY … maybe at the fantasy football, but I made a season of 11 goals, he still doesn’t!”.
Duels with Vidal – “Vidal? When I played against him, for me it was perhaps the only challenge on the physical level. He was a player for whom I snatched, because he had a style of play like mine, both in the defensive and in the offensive phase, he contributed to the team. For me it was always a good test against him: Juve was the team to beat at that moment, so comparing myself to someone like him was always a great personal challenge. I always had a nice feeling “.
MILINKOVIC-SAVIC – «Milinkovic-Savic was a nice player. I once did a joke, which I always put it in my pocket in the derby … apart from it was the truth, but he was a very strong player for me, beautiful to see and technically very strong. For me it was not so difficult to play against us because in his movements it was very slow. It was constant in the long run, but it wasn’t fast. As a personal challenge I preferred to play against Vidal: for me it was the strongest midfielder in Serie A, in those years “.
Barella or Vidal – “Barella or Vidal? I love Barella, he grew up with me at Cagliari … but for goals and assist I think Vidal is above “.
The ideal midfield – “My ideal midfield? I speak of the one I played in, with De Rossi Mediano and Pjanic Mezzala. As a mezzala was devastating, I did not understand why they put median to Juventus: they limited all its qualities ».
Strootman – “In that midfield there was also Strootman, then he got bad to the knee and then I found space.”.
Pizarro e Pirlo – «Pizarro was another very difficult to face. He remembered Pirlo a lot, even if Pirlo had more elegance. But when you pressed Pirlo, maybe he was sure of himself and he did a mistake. Pizarro, when he began to steer, was impregnable, you never took it away “.
The years at Cagliari – «Cagliari was a child’s dream for me, when I started playing in Serie A. Then I found some guys who helped me a lot: Daniele Conti, Cossu, Agostini. If you play for Cagliari it represents a whole island, you have to be more careful and make you feel it. As you are finding more and more passion, you try more and more a sense of belonging. But then you always stay in that limbo for salvation “.
The words in Cellino – “I said to Cellino:” If you make me a 15 -year contract. ” Because I didn’t have too much pressure, outside I could do as I wanted, I was fine and people respect me. Then calls came, and then you think you will take a step forward. I chose Roma, many say why I hate Juve, but in reality I wanted a challenge. A bit like Football Manager, you want to try to win against the strongest ».
Juventus – «Juventus looked for me 4 or 5 times. I refused because raising 4 or 5 badges without ever playing was not for me ».
Arrival in Rome – «The arrival in Rome was fantastic, when De Rossi and Totti one arrive, one thinks if they can pull it but instead it was quite the opposite. They welcomed you and it was very easy. I would also stay for life in Rome, the mentality of the people was perfect for me ».
Salah and his career – “I didn’t expect Salah he had this exploit. Over the years I have seen players that I think “what a career they have done!”, So many strong players who did not understand how it could not be won with that team. Juve was unbeatable in those years. Today, with that Rome, win 5 badges. If they had been able to keep everyone in Rome, it would have been another story. It was almost impossible to remain many years in Rome, because the budget did not allow it ».
Alisson and Szczesny – «We had two goalkeepers who were stronger than the other. Then after two years of loan Szczesny they could no longer keep him, and then he played Alisson owner. I remember that game with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League … I think he made 15 parades ».
The latest news on Cagliari
