Video
“Positive evening, we won, clean sheet… so good, I’m happy.” He started out like this Tommaso Martinelli to the microphones of Sky Sportsmaking his seasonal debut at Franchi, in the Conference League in the overwhelming 7-0 success over LASK on the sixth matchday.
But how did you feel? Emotion?
“Anxiety before, in the bus, but when I entered the field I was in my bubble and I was fine. So I was calm, also thanks to the team.”
You gave De Gea advice on saving penalties, because you are a specialist. But what advice did he give you today?
“Yesterday he asked me which gloves I used. Then he told me not to worry because I’m strong.”
You could have gone out on loan, but you stayed. And also for De Gea.
“Of course, David is like a teacher to me. He has always been an idol, when I heard the news I started calling all my friends because I didn’t want to believe it. Then when he arrived at the sports center it was an immense emotion. A golden boy, I always try to take something from him especially off the pitch, because on the pitch you can see how strong he is. But the approach to the game, things that you don’t see off the pitch, but that I have lucky to see.”
You’re so young, but who did you look up to as a role model when you were little? And did you have a reference teacher in the youth sector?
“I try to take something from every coach, main coach Quintavalle, who even tattooed it on my arm. My idol? Well, Buffon and now Donnarumma too. Last year I had Savorani, who also coached in the national team, he told me how he trained and how strong he was abroad. I watched De Gea and Courtois.”