Defending Quote by Ciro Immobile

I've become accustomed to playing against four defenders throughout my career, but in Italy, I have to play against five.

— Gonzalo Higuain

Tactically, Italians are very strong. They are a lot into tactics: how to defend, when you lose the ball, where will you be?

— Samir Nasri

The defenders in Italy are stronger, and that makes me better. Serie A is played in a different way to other leagues.

— Gonzalo Higuain

Maybe modern tactics mean that making the switch from defence to midfield is easier. Many years ago, full backs were more limited - you…

— Philipp Lahm

In Italy, you must think faster than defenders. It is a tough school.

— Paulo Dybala

As a defender it can also be more frustrating to play in Italy because referees do not tolerate too much physical contact. I loved…

— Jaap Stam

I think, in general, the coaches in Italy are much more tactical; that's just how the league works.

— Wojciech Szczesny

From a player's point of view, you can learn a lot in Italy tactically.

— Antonio Rudiger

As a full back, your role is just as much in playing in midfield, getting forward and creating chances, as it is stopping them…

— Philipp Lahm

I started playing as a full-back, but it's hard to chase quick forwards, especially for me as I'm not particularly quick.

— Ederson

When I first came to Italy it was a radical change for me, as I was coming from Spain, where people favour technique more,…

— Joao Cancelo

It's a big challenge for a defender to prove yourself in a country like Italy as a non-Italian.

— Matthijs de Ligt