Adem Ljajic discusses meeting Sir Alex Ferguson, admiration for Vincenzo Montella and ambition with Roma.
Adem Ljajic discusses meeting Sir Alex Ferguson, admiration for Vincenzo Montella and ambition with Roma.
Back in 2010, then Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”5″>Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino managed to snatch the young Partizan Belgrade talent from under the noses of Manchester United for the reported sum of €8m.
But the Serbian attacking midfielder has no regrets over the course of events and actually reckons that he learned everything he needed in order to develop in Florence.
“I was about to sign for Manchester United along with Zoran Tosic, but in the end the deal didn’t materialise and I joined Fiorentina instead,” Ljajic has told Roma TV today.
“But I was happy to have met Sir Alex Ferguson. I was 18 when I signed for Fiorentina and there were a lot of strong players and I’ve made a lot of friends there, like Stevan Jovetic and Stefan Savic. I have fond memories of Florence.
“Jovetic in particular has really helped me to improve my football. He is a special guy first and foremost and one day I hope I’ll play with him again.
“At Fiorentina I really loved to work with Vincenzo Montella. He is the best Coach ever and one who has made me grow.
“With him, I’ve always played and I’ve also played for the team. One day I hope I can work with him again.
“At the moment though I feel good with Rudi Garcia, I’d like to say a lot of things about him.
“I really hope I can keep doing a lot of nice things with him – we’ve got a great team and a great [technical] staff and we want to win something.
“Roma are a great team, a great group and we can achieve great things. I am really proud to be part of it.
“It’s a real honour to be part of Roma because there are some excellent players who can really make you stronger. Living and playing with them for me it’s really important.
“Francesco Totti is one of them and is a great guy. As far as his football qualities go, he’s a real talent – the things he does on the pitch are really incredible.
“There are just a few like him and I hope he can stay with us for a long time because when he plays you see one Roma side, but when he doesn’t it’s another Roma.
“I am sorry Tin Jedvaj left [to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan] because he’s got a huge talent and he’s a great guy too – I think that in a few years time, he’ll become a very strong defender.
“Miralem Pjanic is a genius and you don’t see someone like him every day – what he does on the pitch it’s difficult to repeat.
“He is so important for our team. I get on really well with him, we always talk.”
Despite having bigger ambitions this season, Ljajic is aware of the importance of the derby against Lazio, which brings back sweet memories for him.
“I’ve played a lot of derbies in Serbia and also playing against Lazio it’s beautiful as it’s a very important game for the city.
“From a personal standpoint, I am happy to have already scored against them, I’ve also scored against them my first goal in Serie A, so hopefully I can score again.”
Finally, Ljajic talked about his controversial relationship with the Serbian national team. In 2012 Sinisa Mihajlovic failed to call him up because he didn’t ‘sing the national anthem’.
But Ljajic holds no grudges towards the current Sampdoria Coach.
“I respect him a lot because he’s one who tells things to your face and this is important – he’s really professional and accurate. It’s a pleasure working with him.
“I am always happy to play with Serbia. At the moment Dick Advocaat has chosen not to call me up – he has said things which were not right.
“But to me playing for Serbia is a honour and I’ve always given my best for the team and the group. Obviously, when you don’t play, you are never going to be happy.”