Juventus officially presented to the media and fans this Tuesday Teun KoopmeinerDutch midfielder snatched from Atalanta after a long summer slump. From the reasons that led him to move to Juventus to the first feelings about this new adventure, Thiago Motta’s number 8 has really touched on a great number of topics. Below are his main statements collected by TMW.
Your first impressions as a Juventus player?
“I want to say first that I’m giving the press conference in English because I want to find the right words. Everything has been fantastic in these first days. My expectations have been met. I’m happy with the relationship with the coach, with the team. It was nice to have some days to prepare for the matches and training with the team. It’s a great feeling, I’m happy and excited. I can’t wait to get started.”
When did you decide to come to Juventus?
“Since I was a child I have watched the big teams and among them Juventus. I followed the Italian championship and Juve, when I arrived in Italy I realized how exceptional Juve was. I played at Atalanta first, I savoured the atmosphere of the club at the Stadium. I thought ‘I would like to play at Juve’ and when the opportunity came I had no more doubts”.
Were you afraid of not making it to Juve?
“Yes, I waited a while but I’m happy to be here. The world of football is sometimes difficult but it’s also a world where not everything is guaranteed, even for footballers you often have to wait, you don’t know what can happen. I was convinced and confident that it would happen. There were excellent contacts between my agent and the club. There are ups and downs but I’m always confident, in the end I was happy to have achieved the goal. I’m excited about what will happen in the next games”.
Your version on this transfer? How did you leave Gasperini?
“The most important thing is that I spent some wonderful years at Atalanta, especially the last season in which we won a trophy, we experienced a special emotion. In addition to the team, I grew as a man and as a footballer. Inside and outside the club. The city was wonderful with me and my family. The 3 years I spent there were exceptional. In the course of a footballer’s career there can be many points of view, but I learned a lot, we did special things together. Now I’m happy to have moved from Atalanta to Juventus”.
Your goals for this season?
“I don’t just think about reaching the top in goals or assists, but the most important thing is the team. Even here at Juventus I was told that this is the type of feeling that the coach wants to have with the other players. I immediately felt part of the family. I want to integrate with the team, help them with goals and assists, but football goes beyond this. During training and matches I want to feel at my best”.
Why did you choose number 8?
“It’s a very important number. I’ve always played with the number 8 and I grew up with this number. At Atalanta it wasn’t available but as soon as it became available I asked for it.”
The similarities between Thiago Motta and Gasperini?
“There are definitely some similarities because he also loves intense training, he wants to put a lot of pressure on his opponents and that’s something I appreciate. So it’s not just what Gasperini or Motta like, but this aspect is particularly suited to my role. As for the differences, maybe in the Atalanta lineup we had 3 or 5 defenders, here instead we have 4. But it’s always difficult to say these things, because even when you play during matches there can be differences, maybe you stop to watch the videos after the matches, you could play with three or five defenders. But in my opinion the thing they have in common is precisely how intensely they want to play the matches. So that’s something I really like and appreciate, is playing this role. I like it because it really fits me.”
How are you physically? Are you ready to start?
“I feel very good. The last month has been difficult in terms of training. I trained very intensely and I’m happy to have played 45 minutes in the last match. I’m ready to play from the first minute. It’s also a great satisfaction for the great welcome I received here.”
Is there a Juve player you admired?
“Zinedine Zidane. He was a source of inspiration for many. Also other players like Andrea Pirlo, Marchisio even for the number 8. Many exceptional players have passed through and I have only mentioned a few.”
Have you ever spoken to De Ligt about Juve? Have you visited the JMuseum?
“Yes, I spoke with De Ligt about the city and the club. It was a nice chat. I haven’t seen the JMuseum, but I visited the Cinema Museum and I would also like to go to the Egyptian Museum. I want to get to know the city.”
Are you ready to win the Scudetto?
“Juventus has won many titles in its history and that is our objective. We have to think game by game, because new players have arrived and we need to get to know each other and that is exactly what we spoke about with the coach. It takes time. The most important thing now is to get to know each other, to approach the games one after the other. Now there is Empoli, then PSV and Napoli. We will approach the games week by week, then the results will come. We want to win titles, but our approach will be gradual. We have to think about Empoli, then PSV and Napoli. It is clear that we want to win but the approach must be gradual”.
Read all of Koopmeiners’ words here!