Sassuolo left-back Rogerio can’t wait to face his parent club Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo next Sunday. “I aspire to Alex Sandro and Marcelo.”
The 20-year-old Brazilian is now in his second season on loan at the Mapei Stadium and eager to make a good impression on the club that still owns his contract.
“Taking on CR7 would be exciting, even if after the opening whistle I always try to keep concentrated no matter the opponent,” he told Tuttosport.
Sassuolo left-back Rogerio can’t wait to face his parent club Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo next Sunday. “I aspire to Alex Sandro and Marcelo.”
The 20-year-old Brazilian is now in his second season on loan at the Mapei Stadium and eager to make a good impression on the club that still owns his contract.
“Taking on CR7 would be exciting, even if after the opening whistle I always try to keep concentrated no matter the opponent,” he told Tuttosport.
“Hopefully Ronaldo will have to wait one more round before breaking his Serie A duck! Sassuolo will be relaxed and free from pressure, trying to emerge with a positive result from Turin.”
If Rogerio does do well this term, he could get a recall to Juventus and become teammates with Ronaldo.
“For now I am focused on providing crosses and assists for Sassuolo, but in future if I have the honour of coming back to Juve, I hope to give Ronaldo many assists too.
“The current Bianconeri full-backs have different characteristics, but are all very strong. I know that I’ll have to give my best to make a good impression and also that my performance will be under the spotlight for Juventus. My family will be watching from Brazil.”
It seems Juve do like their left-backs to be Brazilian, as the favourite to follow in the footsteps of Alex Sandro is Real Madrid veteran Marcelo.
“Alex Sandro is a friend, we met in Turin when I was still in the Primavera youth sector and we remained in contact. It’ll be nice to hug him again, although this time I must confess that I’d like to swap shirts with Douglas Costa at the final whistle.
“I do often get compared to the way Alex Sandro and Marcelo play, and it’s true I do aspire to be like them. I’ve got a lot to do in order to improve, but I humbly would hope to create a ‘Rogerio style’ in future.
“I am generally an attacking wing-back, but thanks to my time in Italian football, I have improved technically and above all tactically. Assists are gratifying, but it would be nice to score my first goal too. It doesn’t matter who it is against or how it is scored, I just hope it comes as soon as possible.
“I started out playing in the streets and that’s where I instinctively developed my change of pace to get past markers. It took a lot of sacrifice and enormous willpower to achieve my dream of becoming a professional football player. I left my family at the age of 12 and think back to the two hours on the bus every day to reach training.
“Now I live right near the Sassuolo training ground and have the luxury of walking there! I’ve always felt welcome in Italy and appreciate the Mediterranean diet, which I saw more of thanks to my neighbours, who originate from Puglia.”