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Defender Antonio Rudiger declared himself satisfied after Roma kept another clean sheet in Sunday’s win over Crotone, saying the team is full of confidence ahead of the return to Europa League action.
Goals from Radja Nainggolan and Edin Dzeko clinched all three points for the Giallorossi in Calabria, in a game that saw Luciano Spalletti’s defence keep yet another clean sheet.
“It was a difficult game, but we played the right way and kept the ball safe,” Rudiger said. “But in the end we scored two goals – yes we could have scored more, with the penalty – but two goals, a clean sheet, very good.”
On another clean sheet, he added: “[Sampdoria] was the only game we conceded three goals. That’s incredible. But we are all doing well in defence and I think that’s important. That’s the way it should be because if you want to win something you have to have the basics, and that’s a good defence.”
Rudiger has been used in multiple ways by Spalletti since his return from injury, playing on both sides of a three-man defence and in both full-back slots when the team have played with a back four. Not that the Germany international has any complaints.
“For me it’s just important that I play,” Rudiger noted. “The coach decides when I play, but if we play with four or three it’s not a problem. Last season we played with four and I was always the left centre-back, so for me it doesn’t matter. It all depends on what the coach wants from me.”
Attention can now turn to Thursday’s Europa League knockout clash in Spain.
“This is why we all play football, because we want those games like against Villarreal,” Rudiger added. “The important thing for us is to recover well and then play a good match in Villarreal, because I think that will be a very tough match for us. But we are confident at the moment and we want to continue like this.”
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