Di Gregorio ‘overjoyed’ at Italy call and Juventus growth

Michele Di Gregorio is ‘overjoyed’ by his first Italy call-up and outlines how he is improving day by day since the transfer to Juventus. ‘Someone believed in me more than I believed in myself.’

The shot-stopper made the big move from Monza to Juve over the summer at the specific request of new coach Thiago Motta, sending Wojciech Szczesny into what was assumed to be an early retirement until Barcelona came along.

Now he has been bumped up to the Italy squad too for the upcoming Nations League matches against Belgium and Israel.

“I always said that the number of great goalkeepers Italy has is incredible, so I am truly overjoyed at this first call-up,” Di Gregorio told Rai Sport.

“I cant wait to be of help, put myself at the disposal of the coach and the squad. I started in Serie C at age 19, then three years in Serie B, promotion to the top flight with Monza and then Juventus.

“Someone believed in me more than I probably believed in myself. I’d say it has been a continual growth process, wanting to constantly prove myself in the next step.”

Di Gregorio joy at Italy and Juventus chance

While Juventus started the Serie A season with six straight clean sheets, conceding only in the 1-1 draw with Cagliari, they have still struggled to score goals and win games.

“The coach wants a squad that follows his ideas. He demands a certain mentality and this pushes us to never let the focus level drop,” continued Di Gregorio.

While Szczesny left, Juve kept Mattia Perin and that allows for competition as well as keeping the goalkeepers on their toes.

“I always work to be at the disposal of the coach so that he can make his decisions. Mattia is a great goalkeeper and a great person, so it’s only right that we push each other day after day, to improve ourselves.”

Although he is now at Juventus, Di Gregorio came up through the Inter youth academy and was sold to Monza for €6m in 2022 after an initial loan.

“I went through their full academy and met good people, they were also close to me when I lost my father. I remain very fond of the people I got to know there.”

David De Gea saved two penalties for Fiorentina in the 2-1 victory over Milan at the weekend, so does Di Gregorio have some techniques for spot-kicks?

“I was studying opponents when I was in Serie C, working with videos, trying to understand the characteristics of those who take the penalties. Sometimes you try to stand still, others you move one knee or another first.”