Edin Dzeko assures Roma his second season is “always better” but he “had to adapt” to Serie A.
The striker arrived in the capital from Manchester City last summer, but scored just eight League goals on a disappointing first campaign.
“It was my first season in Italy and I had to adapt and that’s why it was a little bit more difficult than perhaps everyone expected,” Dzeko explained to Roma’s official website.
Edin Dzeko assures Roma his second season is “always better” but he “had to adapt” to Serie A.
The striker arrived in the capital from Manchester City last summer, but scored just eight League goals on a disappointing first campaign.
“It was my first season in Italy and I had to adapt and that’s why it was a little bit more difficult than perhaps everyone expected,” Dzeko explained to Roma’s official website.
“I think now I am ready for the new season. Last year I did not have pre-season with the team, I didn’t have a lot of friendly games before the season, which made things more difficult for me.
“Now I’m here from the beginning, which is very important for me. At the moment I feel good and I want to continue with the good work.
“My second season? It’s always better! The Italian league is more defensive than all the other leagues, and that is perhaps why it is more difficult for us strikers
“I definitely needed this first year – even if I expected and wanted to be better. But still I scored eight goals, so I want to see what I can do when I am on the top level – I want to see how that would be.
“The fans are here and they are behind me which is good for me, it’s good for my head. I try to work hard in training and hopefully that will help me to be better next season.”
Dzeko was also asked about Coach Luciano Spalletti, who has praised the Bosnian international’s attitude this pre-season.
“We are also doing some work after the group sessions – he is doing some finishing work with me which can only help me to get better.
“We are working very hard and doing lots of tactical work too. It’s hard, we work every day – two times a day – and we work a lot.
“But we also have a lot of time with the ball, which of course is what we like the most. That’s why everyone is happy and enjoying it.
“Targets for the season? I think the most important thing for the club, for the fans and for the players is to have these two preliminary games, these qualification games for the Champions League, and to play well in them and qualify for the Champions League.”