Roma in the press: 6 newspapers comment on Zukanovic signing

Here's what six of Italy's national newspapers had to say about the Bosnian defender's switch to the capital and what he can offer Luciano Spalletti's side.

Il Corriere dello Sport

“He's a defender who can operate both in the centre and at left-back. A physically strong player, he scored three goals in 16 games for Sampdoria and was their best defender when they played Roma earlier in the season.”

“Thanks to his stature and aerial ability he can more than hold his own and make a difference at both ends of the pitch. He also boasts a handy left boot from free kicks, which he recently demonstrated against Lazio (yes, Lazio). […] With his ability to play centre-back and left-back and his technical skills, he's somewhat reminiscent of Cristian Chivu.”

Il Corriere della Sera

“Roma swooped to complete the signing of the 28-year-old Bosnian from Sampdoria. Left-footed, Zukanovic can play both centre-back and left-back. He was supposed to board a plane for Germany with his agent and join Stuttgart, but instead Walter Sabatini convinced him to opt for Roma. He can play in a back three or a back four and even at full-back. So far this season he has made 19 appearances and scored three goals, including one against Lazio.”

Il Messaggero

“It's curious that Zukanovic is often described as a central defender because he actually gave the best of himself as a left-back at Chievo. In the season he spent with the Gialloblu, he was the full-back with the highest percentage of successful crosses in Serie A (38%).”

La Repubblica

“Zukanovic was about to fly to Stuttgart and sign for the German side before the Giallorossi entered the scene and rewrote the plot. And so the versatile defender decided to stay in Italy. […] Roberto Mancini was keen on him because he can play anywhere in the backline. Inter tried to sign him in the summer before he moved to Samp and now he's linked up with Luciano Spalletti.”

Il Secolo XIX

“Ervin Zukanovic will be a Roma player. He seemed all set for a move to Germany but in the end it was Luciano Spalletti's club who won his signature, determined as they were to snap up a versatile defender. He can play both in the middle and on the left and comes with goals to boot – he's already scored three with Sampdoria this season.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

“Roma's rebirth starts off the pitch as much as on it. And that means bonding between players – for example between the Giallorossi's Bosnians. Before there were two of them and they were hugely important; now there are three and perhaps individually slightly less important, but Roma need them. They need Miralem Pjanic to start creating again, Edin Dzeko to start sticking them away again and Ervin Zukanovic to settle in immediately. Perhaps even sooner than that.”