Rugani: ‘Juve? It’s not up to me’

By Football Italia staff

Daniele Rugani admits ‘I don’t know where I’ll play next year’, despite being bought outright by Juventus.

The defender is seen as one of the rising stars of Italian football, and spent this season at Empoli, where he helped the Tuscan club to safety and played every minute in Serie A.

Previously co-owned by the Bianconeri and Empoli, Rugani was purchased outright by the Turin giants in February, but isn’t sure if he’ll be playing for them next season.

“I don’t know where I’ll play next year,” Rugani admitted in an interview with La Repubblica.

“If I’ll be in Turin then I’ll be ready, and more aware of my ability than in the season I spent in the Juventus primavera two years ago.

“I make a point of trying to perfect my technique, you never stop learning. The environment is ideal at Empoli, and I owe a lot to [Coach Maurizio] Sarri and the club.

“They have courage and patience with young people, I feel lucky to have grown up and become a man here.

“The club, along with my family, gave me important values.”

The 20-year-old then revealed the determination which has already seen him involved in Antonio Conte’s Italy setup.

“On Sunday I get a copy of my game on a USB stick. Then I calmly watch it on my PC to find out where I went wrong.

“I do additional training sessions alone, I do sprints, steps, changes of direction and I insist on using my left, my weaker foot.

“It’s the details which make a difference. Other people are born as a phenomenon, I was not. I know I’m good, but I can’t be content, I have to work if I want to have a great future.

“I’m ambitious, insatiable. I wasn’t content with six years at school, I’ve got one year left to get a diploma in agriculture, and I want to finish.

“I haven’t drunk a Coca-Cola for four years, not even to go with the pastries my teammates offer in the dressing room. No snacks or junk food, that’s a very bad mistake.”

Rugani will travel to the Czech Republic with the Italian Under-21 side, and is aiming to help them qualify for the Olympics in Brazil next year.

“We’re not the favourites, and we have a tough group,” the centre-back mused.

“However, we want to get to the semi-finals the qualify for Rio, that’s the minimum goal. The Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“The senior squad? I’ve already been called-up once by the senior team, it was a great experience. I hope one day I’m deserving of another call-up.”

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