Nainggolan reflects on Roma's strength but notes they were unprepared for Juventus's BBC defence
Opinion·1 May 2026·45d ago

Nainggolan reflects on Roma's strength but notes they were unprepared for Juventus's BBC defence

Source: Forza Roma

Radja Nainggolan has reiterated his enduring love for AS Roma while reflecting on his time at the club during an interview on Sky Calcio Unplugged. The former midfielder discussed Roma's competitive ambitions during his era, acknowledging the squad's quality but highlighting their inability to compete with Juventus, particularly against their formidable three-man defensive line of Barzagli, Bonucci, and Chiellini. Nainggolan emphasized that Roma's objective should always be to finish in the top four, noting that current squad members such as Paulo Dybala are expected to make greater impact.

Nainggolan reflected fondly on Roma's memorable Champions League encounter against Barcelona, recalling the atmosphere and belief within the squad that something special could happen. He recalled: "In that week we could feel something, a sensation that made us think something could happen." He also highlighted a missed penalty decision on Pellegrini that would be awarded with VAR technology. Beyond his playing career, Nainggolan expressed admiration for coach Luciano Spalletti, praising his tactical approach and communication style while suggesting Juventus could have challenged Inter more effectively had Spalletti been in place from the season's start.

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Nainggolan: “La mia Roma fortissima, ma non era pronta per la Juve della BBC” - Forzaroma.info Forzaroma.infoI migliori video scelti dal nostro canaleforzaroma news as roma Nainggolan: “La mia Roma fortissima, ma non era pronta per la Juve della BBC”news as romaNainggolan: “La mia Roma fortissima, ma non era pronta per la Juve della BBC”Getty ImagesIl Ninja ribadisce l'amore per i colori giallorossi e torna sulla sua esperienza, soprattutto sulla notte col Barcellona: "In quella settimana sentivamo che poteva succedere qualcosa" Redazione 1 maggio - 09:57 Radja Nainggolan non ha mai nascosto il suo amore per la Roma, la nostalgia e l'orgoglio - con qualche rammarico - per quanto vissuto in giallorosso. E non ha certo intenzione di cominciare a farlo ora. Intervistato nel corso di Sky Calcio Unplugged, il Ninja è tornato ad esempio sulla sua avventura nella capitale e sulle ambizioni di questa squadra: "Quando ero alla Roma noi giocavamo per le posizioni alte. Non abbiamo vinto lo scudetto ma eravamo sempre secondi e provavamo a mettere in difficoltà la Juventus, che era imbattibile. Era una squadra fatta bene con giocatori forti, che ancora oggi sono ad alto livello come Salah o Rudiger, però non eravamo pronti a competere con una squadra con un tridente in difesa come Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini. La Roma è difficile da giudicare: ci sono partite in cui fa bene e altre in cui fa male. Io non amo quel tipo di gioco perché non sono per questo tipo di calcio. C'è Dybala che dovrebbe fare la differenza ma gioca meno di quanto ci si aspetta. È difficile giudicare una squadra che sta facendo bene ma per me l'obiettivo di una piazza come Roma, di cui io sono innamorato, non può che essere stare sempre nelle prime 4".Poi il ricordo della storica notte col Barcellona:"Quella è una partita in cui abbiamo perso 4-1 là ma il risultato doveva essere diverso anche perché c'era un rigore su Pellegrini, che oggi con il VAR verrebbe dato. Poi se parliamo della semifinale contro il Liverpool... A me comunque va bene così perché il calcio vero è così. Ormai non c'è nemmeno più la furbizia. Riguardo quella partita lì comunque, devo essere sincero, in quella settimana si respirava qualcosa, una sensazione che ci faceva dire che potesse succedere qualcosa. Iniziata la partita noi pensavamo solo a non prendere gol e fare il primo, poi a non prenderne uno e fare il secondo e poi è arrivata la rete di Manolas e abbiamo detto: 'c***o ce la possiamo fare'".Infine su Spalletti:"Io adoro Spalletti per il suo modo di giocare e quello di comunicare. Mi piace tutto di lui. Sa sempre dare una risposta anche quando viene criticato e si prende tante resposabilità quando le cose non vanno. In questo momento la Juventus è la squadra che gioca il miglior calcio in Italia con una squadra che prima non giocava in questo modo. Poteva essere l'anti Inter? Per me poteva giocarsela se Spalletti fosse stato lì dall'inizio. Sembra sempre uno molto duro quando lo vedi o lo senti. Quando ti vuole bene però si scioglie e prende le cose in modo diverso da come fa vedere. È una persona che mi ha aiutato e migliorato tanto. Per me è una persona importante". Leggi anche Roma-Fiorentina, non solo Zaragoza: anche Tsimikas a forte rischio Friedkin attesi in città. Zaragoza ai box. Derby, Simonelli: “Si va verso le 12:30” © RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA

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