USA international Michael Bradley, fresh from scoring his first Serie A goal for AS Roma, says that playing in Italy has made him a more “complete” player. “Fighting my way onto a big club like Roma, I can prove to everybody that I can play at the highest level,” he tells the Miami Herald. “Every week, we face the absolute highest level of pressure, so when I step on the field for the national team, I have a certain edge that helps me win midfield battles.” Bradley adds that he’s particularly impressed with how hard players train before matches, the attention they pay to detail, and their determination to win.

In a separate interview, the central midfielder says he’s “enjoying every second” of playing for Roma. “Obviously the club is just fantastic, a massive club, with the support. You have an idea of how big the club is from the outside but when you get there it is, well, you realize you had no idea.”

Bradley’s move to Roma has also pleased U.S. national team coach Juergen Klinsmann, who describes the 25-year-old as one of the team’s leaders. “I am extremely happy to have Michael back because he became one of the leaders of this group the last few years,” Klinsmann said, referring to Bradley’s absence through injury for the USA’s qualifiers in early September. “He took that very positively, and stepped up his club career. They’re very happy with him at Roma. His presence and qualities are something we need.”