Miralem Pjanic, the Bosnian midfielder currently playing for CSKA Moscow, recently reflected on his illustrious career in an interview with Il Tempo. As Roma and Juventus prepare to face off at the Stadio Olimpico this Sunday, Pjanic shared heartfelt memories of his time at both clubs, offering insights into his experiences and emotions.
“I cried when I left Roma because I had fallen in love with the place,” Pjanic admitted. “They were five wonderful years, but unfortunately, I couldn’t win something like I dreamed. Doing it in Rome would have been extraordinary. It was a shame to meet a Juventus team that was too strong.” Despite his deep connection to Roma, he acknowledged the success he found in Turin: “At Juventus, I won more, but the Roma jersey was something I felt deeply. I loved the city, the fans, the derbies—everything. Rome is a place that makes you feel special; few other places can match the passion for football you feel there.”
Pjanic also commented on the current state of both teams ahead of their clash. “At this moment, Roma has more stability, without a doubt. Juve changed their coach because the results were below expectations,” he said. Reflecting on Juventus’ recent struggles, he noted, “Some choices went against Juve’s DNA, but now they’ve brought back someone who knows the club well and understands how to manage its dynamics.” As for Roma, he praised Claudio Ranieri’s impact: “Ranieri is a Romanista who knows the club very well. He has great experience and is beloved by the fans. He had the merit of starting a positive streak and bringing the team back to fighting for the Champions League.”
Discussing Roma’s past decisions, Pjanic expressed regret over Daniele De Rossi’s departure: “The big mistake was sending De Rossi away—it was too early, and the team suffered a shock because of it. Not everyone agreed with that decision, but nobody expected it.” He added, “De Rossi has everything it takes to be a great coach. It’s a shame he was dismissed so early.”
Pjanic reminisced about his most memorable Roma-Juve encounter: “The best Roma-Juve? The one where I scored against Buffon from a free kick. We won 2-1 with goals from me and Dzeko. The stadium exploded when I scored—it was an unforgettable moment.”
Reflecting on his decade-long journey in Italy, Pjanic described it as transformative: “It was the longest journey of my career and above all the most important choice—the best I could have made.” His time at Roma remains particularly special: “You fall in love with Rome easily, but you need experience and the ability to manage difficult moments.”
