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Bayern Munich defender Mehdi Benatia insists he is still a Roma fan

Image: Mehdi Benatia: Left Roma for Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich defender Mehdi Benatia insists he is still a Roma fan, despite an acrimonious split from the club this summer.

The Moroccan defender will return to Rome next month when his new club faces his old in the Champions League and, speaking after Bayern picked up a 1-0 win over Manchester City in their opening European fixture this season, he discussed his departure from the Eternal City for the first time.

"I'm expecting there to be a lot of bad things towards me when I go back, but I will return to Rome with my head held high," said Benatia after making his Bayern debut on Wednesday night.

"I still have lots of friends there, but I'd rather not talk about this or what [Roma's director of sport Walter] Sabatini said.

"Bayern don't want me to so I'll just follow Roma as a fan and that's it. I'm thinking of doing the best job I can here.

"I'm glad that Roma started well in the league and in the Champions League, even if I've received lots of insults since leaving.

"But I always gave everything wearing their colours and I am still in touch with half of the team by phone, so maybe I'm not the bad person many are making me out to be.

"I'm sleeping well, I'm happy and I'm at a big club."

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