Gianluca Mancini held his first press conference today since joining the Giallorossi from Atalanta on loan with an obligation to buy. Here are the words of the young defender:
What did Fonseca ask of you? Who has impressed you the most?
The manager explained to me about the tactics us defenders must develop. He wants the defence playing high, the ball moving. As for who has impressed me, many of my teammates are strong but Kolarov impressed me before I even got here, now that I’m here he’s done so even more.
Do you feel you have reached maturity?
Not yet, I’m young and I have a long way to go. I had a good season but there is still much to improve, I will be able to do so here with my new teammates and the new manager.
What must you improve?
In my speed and zonal marking given I’m used to man marking. There’s some things I have to work on.
Was staying in Bergamo in January your choice?
In January there were talks, but very little was concrete. It was not my intention to leavei in January out of respect for Atalanta – I wanted to end the season there.
Does Fonseca remind you of Gasperini?
I’ve only had five training sessions with the new manager, but it’s true: I see a bit of Gasperini in him: especially from an intensity standpoint.
Is the transition from a three-man defence to a four-man defence that big of an issue or is it just a myth? What’s your ideal defensive partner like?
I’ve played in the national team so I’m used to playing with four at the back. There may be some small things at the beginning but I’ll learn quickly. My ideal partner? Fazio and Juan Jesus are two great players, the Mister will decide on this.
