Alessandro Florenzi believes Juventus have been “weakened” by Leonardo Bonucci’s departure, while praising Roma teammate Radja Nainggolan.
The versatile Italy international is on his way back to recovery after snapping the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee twice in under a year.
“I had to take it in my stride and not get too downhearted. It was just a fluke,” Florenzi told La Stampa newspaper.
Roma face Juve tonight in the International Champions Cup in Foxborough, kicking off at 21.05 UK time (20.05 GMT).
Alessandro Florenzi believes Juventus have been “weakened” by Leonardo Bonucci’s departure, while praising Roma teammate Radja Nainggolan.
The versatile Italy international is on his way back to recovery after snapping the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee twice in under a year.
“I had to take it in my stride and not get too downhearted. It was just a fluke,” Florenzi told La Stampa newspaper.
Roma face Juve tonight in the International Champions Cup in Foxborough, kicking off at 21.05 UK time (20.05 GMT).
“I think Juventus have been weakened by losing Bonucci, because he’s a man of charisma and strong character who gave them so much. They remain a formidable team, still the ones to beat, but taking away Bonucci would be like removing Daniele De Rossi from Roma.”
On the other hand, the Lupi have also lost Mohamed Salah, Antonio Rudiger and Leandro Paredes this summer, while Wojciech Szczesny moved to Juventus.
“They were very important, but we hope they’ll be replaced by players who are just as good. Nainggolan is the best midfielder in Serie A and maybe the best beyond Italian borders too.
“The Juve player I most admire is Gigi Buffon and he proved to me what a great man he is when we were in the Italy squad together. What do I envy Juve? Their Scudetti.”
Roma finished second last season, but begin again with new Coach Eusebio Di Francesco after Luciano Spalletti went to Inter.
“Milan, and above all Inter who don’t have any European commitments, can have their say this season in the Champions League race, but we are ready to fight it out with anyone,” continued Florenzi.
“It has become clear over the years that it’s difficult to work at Roma, because the mood in the city flies from the stars to the gutter. There are so many radio stations, TV companies, websites who talk about even the most banal thing every day to fill time. It’s not easy for players to concentrate in that situation.”