Duvan Zapata explains why his transfer to Roma fell apart and what made him choose Torino after so many years with Atalanta. ‘The tactical ideas are similar, but not identical.’
The Colombia international has spent most of his career in Italy, representing Napoli, Udinese, Sampdoria, Atalanta and now Torino, making the transfer on loan with obligation to buy for €8m plus bonuses on deadline day.
He already made his debut in the Granata jersey during the 1-0 win over Genoa and has taken advantage of the break for international duty to work with his new coach Ivan Juric, a protégé of Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini.
“Juric’s football ideas are similar to Gasperini, but not identical. The coach asked me to be a reference point inside the penalty area and not move too wide,” explained Duvan Zapata in his presentation press conference.
“I came to Torino because they immediately made me feel important to this team, whereas perhaps I no longer had that status with Atalanta. Toro were the only team to be truly, strongly interested in me.”
That seems curious considering the centre-forward had been on the verge of a transfer to Roma just days before the Toro switch, and it is still not entirely clear why that move fell apart.
“I did not go to Roma because of a decision made by the club. Then in the final days of the transfer window, Torino stepped forward and I am happy to be here. In fact, I had also been close to Torino back when I returned to Napoli after the Udinese loan. Torino had made three offers, but the President did not want to sell, until I was sold on the last day of the window to Sampdoria.”
The 32-year-old struggled with muscular problems last season, but has 109 goals and 47 assists in 285 career Serie A appearances.
“Fortunately, the muscular issues are in the past now. We trained hard during the break for international duty and I can’t wait for the next game.”