Michele Di Gregorio was introduced in a press conference by Juventus today, where he discussed his recent transfer, the new challenges he faces, and his aspirations to make history with the club.
The 27-year-old Italian goalkeeper made the move to the Old Lady from Monza earlier this month in a deal valued at around €18m plus €2m in add-ons. He is set to take on the starting role, replacing Wojciech Szczesny, who remains at the club following a failed transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Having come through Inter’s youth system, Di Gregorio impressed quietly with Monza in recent years, keeping 14 clean sheets in 33 league games last season. Despite his performances, he was not selected for Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad for the recent European Championship.
During a press conference via TMW, Di Gregorio shared his feelings following his transfer from Monza, stating, “I feel like I did on the first day. Every day feels like the first day. Everything is really great. Then I got to see the facilities, and everything is really great.”
When asked about his decision to join Juventus this summer, Di Gregorio explained, “When the season was over, I spoke with director Giuntoli and I didn’t think about any other teams anymore. I gave my word, and I kept it.”
Reflecting on his journey through the lower divisions, Di Gregorio acknowledged, “I think, as you said, I made a path from the bottom. It helped me to play, to play a lot. Making mistakes, making mistakes, working on them. I’ll tell you, the work, the perseverance, has led me to be here today.”
Regarding Juventus’ history of Italian goalkeepers, Di Gregorio expressed, “Yes, history certainly matters, even for goalkeepers. Juventus has had world-class goalkeepers. For me it’s great to be here. As I said, I also feel very proud for this reason.”
When asked where he sees himself among other Italian goalkeepers, Di Gregorio stated, “I’d like to leave something behind like the other great Juventus goalkeepers did. Maybe for physicality, I remember Peruzzi a little. Time will tell. The goal is to do my best. To continue to grow, to improve, to gain satisfaction.”
Di Gregorio also discussed his ambitions with the national team, saying, “My goal is to do my best and get some satisfaction. Certainly, the national team is a goal. Making my mark at Juve is a goal. I’m thinking about it. It’ll take a lot of work and sacrifice. I know I’m in the right place.”
He touched on the expectations from coach Thiago Motta, stating, “The coach certainly doesn’t ask us anything strange, just to participate in the build-up and have personality. I think that’s important. Football has changed. We all want to be useful and do what the coach wants.”
Discussing the evolution of the goalkeeper role, Di Gregorio mentioned, “Definitely as I said football has changed, we’re much more involved in the game. It’s an aspect I like. You have to get there with work, no? It’s not easy compared to the past. Be involved with your feet. Being good technically. I firmly believe that anything can then be done.”
When asked about his relationship with the other goalkeepers at the club, Di Gregorio shared, “From day one very good. We got on immediately, we knew each other beforehand. Even as opponents, the chat and greetings were always exchanged. It’s a great relationship. We’re working well, great. I’m happy about that too.”
Regarding the pressure of replacing Szczesny, Di Gregorio acknowledged, “When you come here, you know there’ll be pressure, but that’s the great thing about sport. It’s the thing that pushes me every day to improve. To try to be the best I can be.”
He also mentioned not having spoken to Gianluigi Buffon but appreciated his words, stating, “We haven’t spoken, but I have heard his words about me. Inevitably they please me and make me proud that he thinks that about me. He was the greatest in history.”
Di Gregorio discussed how the pressure has changed since moving from Monza to Juventus, saying, “That’s the thing that makes our job good. Trying to push us to give our best to be ready. I come from a different reality, with different pressures. I remember my first game in Serie A, there was pressure. Having done the steps led me to prepare myself mentally. Now I know very well that I’m at a club with very high ambitions, I’m also working for this.”
He also shared his positive experience with the Juventus squad during their trip to Germany, stating, “Maybe I’ll tell you, I’ve found a group like this from day one. From day one I felt immediately welcomed, at ease, working hard, strong, with an important mentality. Germany was good for us as a group to get together and spend time, to get to know each other on and off the pitch. I think it was a good week.”
Finally, when asked about the team’s objectives for the upcoming season, Di Gregorio mentioned, “No we haven’t spoken about it, but we all know that we want to do our best for ourselves and for the group. Only in this way can we be satisfied.”
