The Pagellone | From the South Stand Banner to De Rossi's Words

Rudi Garcia, former Roma manager and current Belgium coach, has spoken about his relationship with midfielder Radja Nainggolan during his time at the club. In an interview with Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad, Garcia praised Nainggolan's abilities: "Radja, what a player. Rarely have I seen a footballer with such an incredible shot, such high athleticism and such rapid recovery capacity." Garcia acknowledged Nainggolan's unprofessional lifestyle, saying: "Yes, of course I knew that Radja smoked. But as long as he performed on the pitch, I didn't care." Garcia reflected on Nainggolan's impact during Roma's title challenges, noting that the midfielder arrived to strengthen the squad after Kevin Strootman's injury, joining established midfield figures Miralem Pjanic and Daniele De Rossi. The manager highlighted Nainggolan's paradox—his carefree approach was simultaneously a weakness and a strength, allowing him to play with natural spontaneity that generated significant impact on the pitch. Garcia also referenced comparable situations at other clubs, mentioning a goalkeeper at Roma—later identified as Wojciech Szczesny at Arsenal—who smoked in the dressing room in England. The former coach's comments underscore a pragmatic approach to player management, prioritizing on-field performance over strict behavioral control.

Enzo Le Fée, the former Roma midfielder now at Southampton, has given an interview to LiveScore in which he was critical of Italian football. Le Fée spent time at Roma before moving to the Premier League. His remarks about Serie A's standard represent a notable assessment from a player who experienced the Italian top division firsthand. The interview covered his time in Italy and his reasons for preferring to play elsewhere. Details remain unclear on the full scope of his comments, but his criticism centres on his view that the Italian championship lacks competitive quality.

Maurizio Setti, former president of Hellas Verona, spoke on Tele Radio Stereo 92.7 regarding Roma's next director. Setti commented on D'Amico's qualifications for the role. The discussion centred on Roma's incoming leadership structure and the expectations for the director position. Setti acknowledged that while D'Amico possesses considerable experience, the role requires support and cannot be managed by one person alone. Details remain unclear regarding the specific context and timing of the appointment.