Roma fullback Leonardo Spinazzola says he was wanted by Italy this week.

However, he chose to stay with Roma after his successful return to action following last year's Achilles injury.

Spinazzola said, “It was my request. The coach has given me this week to work and get myself fit. I'll do some specific work that I've been missing since July, in fact I haven't done anything for the calf and the whole chain.

“This injury is one of the worst for a footballer and especially for someone with my characteristics. I lack support when I go fast, I have to go on my forefoot.

“However, I'm trying to recover as much as possible."

On his time with Juventus, he also said: "I lacked consistency at Juve, but also because – and everyone forgets it, even now – I came from an ACL problem. And now from a tendon injury. But everyone forgets, they don't forget about many but they often forget about me, that I have to come back sooner.

"All right, don't worry. There was also a lot going on behind, but I knew that coming here and trying to play minutes in a big place with great pressure I could grow even more. And that's how it was."