Speaking to Gianluca Di Marzio, Bosnia and Leeds United defender Tarik Muharemović credited Serie A for his tactical education and emphasised on the need to focus on the present and use the platform he has to show what he can do.
“I was in Italy for five years, so we all know that it is a country specialized in tactics and defense. Tactically, it’s the best place to grow. Defensively, I really learned a lot during my years at Juve and Sassuolo. I was lucky enough to meet players who helped me a lot: Bonucci and Chiellini above all.
“I had Matic and Jay Idzes [at Sassuolo]: I was lucky to be surrounded by so many players and coaches who helped me! But, of course, there were also coaches who didn’t help me and who didn’t want the best for me. At the end of the day, however, I wanted to prove that I was one of the best defenders and to show my best side. I simply thank everyone in Italy who helped me.”
The 23-year-old accepts that it wasn’t in his hands that chances didn’t his way at Juve, but now he is at a club where the stage is his.
“This [chances at Juve] wasn’t in my hands, they had better ideas and knew why. Now I’m really happy to be here, at Leeds, and in the Premier League, and not somewhere else. My focus is here and I just want to forget those early years… I thank Sassuolo and I’m really grateful for what they did for me. I’m at Leeds United to prove who I am. And thanks also to Giorgio, Nemanja and Leo.”
Leeds United got the better of several Premier League clubs, in particular Bournemouth and Sunderland, to land Muharemović for €37 million. Right away, he has become a mainstay in the Whites’ back line and his leading what has been a remarkable charge from them early in the season: five games in, Leeds are fifth in the Premier League table, six points off Man City at the top.
Anshuman Joshi | GIFN
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