Atalanta defender Mattia Caldara admits he has been watching Juventus’ games as he bids “to be ready for June.”
Caldara will join Juve next summer, having been transferred to the Bianconeri at the start of the year, and the 23-year-old is forging a reputation as a goalscoring centre-back after scoring in Atalanta’s 3-3 draw with Lazio and seeing another disallowed.
Atalanta defender Mattia Caldara admits he has been watching Juventus’ games as he bids “to be ready for June.”
Caldara will join Juve next summer, having been transferred to the Bianconeri at the start of the year, and the 23-year-old is forging a reputation as a goalscoring centre-back after scoring in Atalanta’s 3-3 draw with Lazio and seeing another disallowed.
“Disallowed goal? I’m sorry because we could’ve taken the three points with it, but we faced a great Lazio side and we couldn’t win,” he told Domenica Sportiva.
“Goalscoring defender? I think about defending first, but if a goal comes after, that’s great.
“The Coach always tells me that defenders don’t look for second balls in the box, yet I stay inside trying to score. The game went well and I scored.
“Europa League helpful? Yes because you face teams that always want to attack, so you get used to playing teams at higher levels than many of the Italian ones. It’s helped us a lot.
“Do I watch Juventus’ games? Yes, I certainly do. I have to be ready for June. Playing in front of strikers my best quality? It’s something that the Coach helped me with.
“He asked me to always play in front of my marker and never behind them. The Coach has helped me so much.”