DARMIAN: “I WANT TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION AND WORK FOR THE TEAM"
At Collecchio today, new Parma signing Matteo Darmian spoke to the press alongside Alessandro Lucarelli, with Parma’s Club Manager having the following to say about the Crociati’s No. 36:
“His career speaks for him and we’re happy to have him here with us. The Club did really well to make this deal happen, working under the radar to bring him in. We’ll give him a big welcome and are counting on his desire to become a protagonist once more, he’s not lacking any motivation or quality. It’s important not to raise the bar too high, we know that we have a better squad this year but our objective is to remain in Serie A, we want to display the same battling spirit as we did last season. With more quality, it’s possible to secure survival in a calmer manner, but the important thing is to reach 40 points. This division is more complicated now, every side in the middle to lower reaches of the table has invested. Therefore, we’ll need to fight. We need to take the battle to everybody, never thinking that the game is already lost when we play the bigger sides and that it’ll be easier against the others.”
This is what Matteo Darmian had to say:
“Back then, it was an easy choice for me to sign for such an important club as Manchester United, playing for them was a source of pride and it was a big responsibility to wear such a glorious shirt. It’s an experience I would go through again, it was a very important one for my career. I got to experience a different kind of football culture compared to Italy, and this allowed me to grow. I played for the first two and a half years, but I played fewer games in the last year and a half. My desire to take to the pitch and return to Italy pushed me to leave Manchester. In any team there’s healthy competition between all the players, a professional needs to accept the decisions made by the Coach and work to ensure that they’re ready. I’ve always done this and will continue to do so. While at Manchester United, I worked with Van Gaal and Mourinho. They are two great coaches who have had an enormous amount of success, both left a mark on me.”
“I can play in various roles, I’m at the disposal of both the team and Coach. Why Parma? I primarily chose to come here because of my desire to play, while the Club convinced me because everyone made it clear that they really wanted me to join. I’ve been following Italian football from abroad and it’s been a pleasure to do so, I’ve seen Parma grow and I think the Club is continuing to develop. Everyone’s made me feel at home, I’m happy. In England, the football played is more physical and less tactical compared to Italy. Emphasis is placed on the tactical side of things here and I don’t think this has changed much. Big players have come here and this is positive because it raises the level of all the teams and provides motivation for individuals to always give their all.
“I’ve had the opportunity meet many people who work here, I’m happy because they’re all fantastic. The Coach is well-prepared and has demonstrated this in previous years, he can give us a hand as we look to achieve our objectives. The match in Udine was positive, and not just because of the result. It’s a difficult ground to go to for everyone, we took the game to them and won. There were many positive aspects to keep in mind. These were three important points in terms of being able to work calmly and with confidence over these next two weeks before our next match.”
“I want to make a contribution to help the team, this is my mentality. Our objective is to remain in this league, and we want to achieve this as soon as possible. I’m feeling calm after my arrival. I’m a professional, what I need to do is work hard for the team. All my teammates are fantastic lads and also excellent players. They’re helping me to integrate into what is an excellent group. This is an excellent basis from which big things could be achieved.”
(Photo Parma Calcio 1913)
