Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat admits he misses playing in front of fans: ‘I like when opponents whistle me.’
The 24-year-old spoke to Fiorentina’ official website about his career.
“My dream was always to be a footballer. It wasn’t easy in the Utrecht academy. I went to school every day, and had really long days,” he said.
Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat admits he misses playing in front of fans: ‘I like when opponents whistle me.’
The 24-year-old spoke to Fiorentina’ official website about his career.
“My dream was always to be a footballer. It wasn’t easy in the Utrecht academy. I went to school every day, and had really long days,” he said.
“The whole day was busy. And it’s not easy for a child. I saw a lot of players who were done with it, who stopped because they wanted to enjoy spending time with friends. I left home at 8 in the morning to go to school by bicycle, and would return at 8:30 in the evening.
“Since I was ten I played in the Utrecht academy, so I learned a lot there. I think the Dutch school is really good when you are young,” he continued.
“There’s a lot of work on technique, a lot of work with the ball. All teams in Holland can play good possession football, players are technical and good on the ball, it’s an attractive brand of football.
“Sometimes it’s too naive, but it’s changing. In the whole world football is changing. Getting results is key.”
The former Hellas Verona man doesn’t quite enjoy playing in empty stadiums.
“Right now there are many people in many sectors who aren’t working. You always have to think about the people who have it difficult. For us it’s different playing in empty stadiums,” he said.
“I think if you watch football in the whole world right now, everywhere the level has gone down a bit – the intensity of the game, for example.
“Perhaps we make more mistakes. For example when you pass it back to the goalkeeper or to a man who is marked, the fans immediately make noises, shout ‘uomo’ – right now you hear nothing.
“You stay more focused, you concede less. After conceding a goal or two the fans would kill you. It’s a mental thing. It shouldn’t happen, but it sometimes does. It’s not like a training because we’re still playing for points, but with the full stadium it’s different.
“It’s a feeling you get automatically, even when you’re watching the game on the tv, without the fans. Football is for the fans.
“I like the pressure. My agent always tells me: ‘I’m not worried for you in big games.’ I like to play in full stadiums – I like it when the fans are whistling me. That’s what I want – that’s why you do it. “