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The Germany international left the Giallorossi in the summer, joining the Premier League champions for an initial fee of €35 million.
Ahead of his return to the Italian capital, the 24-year-old revealed he always suspected his old club and his new one would be drawn together in the Champions League.
“I spoke to my parents (after the draw) and I already knew and my parents even told me that you will get Roma,” Rudiger said. ”I was happy and I am happy to go to Rome, to go there and play against my old team because I have a big respect [for the club].
"I had two wonderful years there with ups and downs, with injuries. They were standing always behind me, the players, the team, the board and the fans.”
Rudiger is expecting a noisy atmosphere at his former stomping ground.
“They came to Stamford Bridge and had more possession than we did," he noted. "Also we saw that [Edin] Dzeko is a very, very dangerous striker. We saw him in the Premier League, everyone knows him. [Aleksandar] Kolarov at the back has a lot of power and we need to be ready in that stadium because it [the atmosphere in the stadium] will be very hot.
“Now I am at Chelsea and I am very happy with that. I will give 100 per cent and will be focussed on Chelsea and that game."
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