Patrik Schick tried to identify the reasons he was never able to give his best for Roma. “The pressure I played under made me feel trapped.”
The forward arrived from Sampdoria after a move to Juventus fell through, as he failed a medical with some minor cardiac issues, but was short on confidence throughout his stay.
He was sent out to RB Leipzig on loan for €3.5m plus bonuses, with option to buy for €29m.
Patrik Schick tried to identify the reasons he was never able to give his best for Roma. “The pressure I played under made me feel trapped.”
The forward arrived from Sampdoria after a move to Juventus fell through, as he failed a medical with some minor cardiac issues, but was short on confidence throughout his stay.
He was sent out to RB Leipzig on loan for €3.5m plus bonuses, with option to buy for €29m.
“I never felt completely happy in Rome, so I think it was the right move,” said Schick while on international duty with the Czech Republic.
“I really needed a change of scenery. We weren’t sure until the last minute if this move was going to go through, so I was ready to join Leipzig, but also prepared in case I had to stay at Roma and fight for my place in the team.
“Edin Dzeko told me that going to Leipzig would be a good decision, as he’s played in Germany. I took everything into account, from their style of football to their position in the table and Champions League participation.
“I have heard talk about their Coach, Julian Negelsmann, and he plays the kind of football I appreciate. I’ve also been told he is very personable.
“It’ll be a real change, because Roma played a very slow type of football, so it was difficult to break down organised defences. It’ll be different at Leipzig, as their football is fast and aggressive.
“I wouldn’t say I ran away from Roma, but I did need a change and it was the right move for my career. It’s difficult to say why it didn’t work out, but there are many factors. It was a difficult start in a new adventure without pre-season training, then injuries, the big expectations, which unfortunately I did not entirely fulfil, plus the pressure I was playing under, it all made me feel trapped.”