Michele Di Gregorio was unveiled in a press conference by Juventus today, discussing his transfer, the new pressures he faces and how he’d like to create history with the club.
The 27-year-old Italian goalkeeper joined the Old Lady from Monza at the start of this month in a deal worth around €18m plus €2m in add-ons. He will take on the starting role from Wojciech Szczesny, who is still at the club after a collapsed move to Saudi Arabia.
A product of Inter’s youth system, Di Gregorio quietly impressed with Monza over the last few years, keeping 14 clean sheets across 33 league games last term. He was not included in Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad for the recent European Championship.
Di Gregorio presentation
Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Di Gregorio first discussed his emotions in the weeks following his transfer from Monza.
“I feel like I did on the first day. Every day feels like the first day. Everything is really great. Then I got to see the facilities, and everything is really great.”
He was asked what made him join Juventus this summer.
“When the season was over, I spoke with director Giuntoli and I didn’t think about any other teams anymore. I gave my word, and I kept it.”
Di Gregorio reflected on his experiences in the lower divisions.
“I think, as you said, I made a path from the bottom. It helped me to play, to play a lot. Making mistakes, making mistakes, working on them. I’ll tell you, the work, the perseverance, has led me to be here today.”
He spoke about Juventus’ history of Italian goalkeepers.
“Yes, history certainly matters, even for goalkeepers. Juventus has had world-class goalkeepers. For me it’s great to be here. As I said, I also feel very proud for this reason.”
Di Gregorio was asked where he’d rank up against other Italian goalkeepers.
“I’d like to leave something behind like the other great Juventus goalkeepers did. Maybe for physicality, I remember Peruzzi a little. Time will tell. The goal is to do my best. To continue to grow, to improve, to gain satisfaction.”
He spoke about his ambitions with the national team.
“My goal is to do my best and get some satisfaction. Certainly, the national team is a goal. Making my mark at Juve is a goal. I’m thinking about it. It’ll take a lot of work and sacrifice. I know I’m in the right place.”
Di Gregorio touched on what Thiago Motta asks of him.
“The coach certainly doesn’t ask us anything strange, just to participate in the build-up and have personality. I think that’s important. Football has changed. We all want to be useful and do what the coach wants.”
He discussed how the role of goalkeeping has changed.
“Definitely as I said football has changed, we’re much more involved in the game. It’s an aspect I like. You have to get there with work, no? It’s not easy compared to the past. Be involved with your feet. Being good technically. I firmly believe that anything can then be done.”
Di Gregorio commented on his relationship with the other goalkeepers at the club.
“From day one very good. We got on immediately, we knew each other beforehand. Even as opponents, the chat and greetings were always exchanged. It’s a great relationship. We’re working well, great. I’m happy about that too.”
He was asked if he feels pressure replacing Szczesny.
“When you come here, you know there’ll be pressure, but that’s the great thing about sport. It’s the thing that pushes me every day to improve. To try to be the best I can be.”
Di Gregorio was also asked if Gianluigi Buffon gave him any advice.
“We haven’t spoken, but I have heard his words about me. Inevitably they please me and make me proud that he thinks that about me. He was the greatest in history.”
He discussed how the pressure has changed since switching Monza for Juventus.
“That’s the thing that makes our job good. Trying to push us to give our best to be ready. I come from a different reality, with different pressures. I remember my first game in Serie A, there was pressure.
“Having done the steps led me to prepare myself mentally. Now I know very well that I’m at a club with very high ambitions, I’m also working for this.”
Di Gregorio spoke about his relationship with the Juventus squad and their trip to Germany.
“Maybe I’ll tell you, I’ve found a group like this from day one. From day one I felt immediately welcomed, at ease, working hard, strong, with an important mentality.
“Germany was good for us as a group to get together and spend time, to get to know each other on and off the pitch. I think it was a good week.”
Finally, Di Gregorio was asked if the team had discussed their objectives for the new season.
“No we haven’t spoken about it, but we all know that we want to do our best for ourselves and for the group. Only in this way can we be satisfied.”