Coppola: “My Brighton is by Champions League. Studio Van Dijk and I want to challenge Haaland”

Diego Coppola’s enthusiasm is contagious. The Verona in this market has sold it to Brighton, in the Premier League. For now he has looked around with the enthusiasm of those who live everything for the first time, but also with the awareness that that championship that since he was bewitched by Manchester City and Yaya Touré has always followed is “not a dream but a point of arrival”. One in which to demonstrate that he can be, perhaps by burning the stages as he did with Serie A.

Diego, what is the Premier League for you?

“I have always seen him as the best championship in the world, not as a dream but as a point of arrival. When I learned that Verona and Brighton were spoken, I was immediately extravagant: the premier is the premier”.

His first memory linked to the premier?

“On Fox Sport, I looked at top goals and top assist. It was the year in which Manchester City had won the Scudetto (2013-14, editor’s note): there were Yaya Touré, my favorite player, there was Kompany with Pellegrini coach. That year I fell in love with the premier”.

What did Touré hit her?

“That year was overflowing, he had made 20 goals as a midfielder. Then at the level of quality … he defended, attacked, technically he was one of the best, he had physical: I saw him as the perfect player.

“Virgil Van Dijk. I looked a lot both he and Kompany, but now that I understand football more, Van Dijk is a model. Also according to my companions, who I asked who they are the most effect: many have told me because at the presence of the presence in the team it is extraordinary”.

A stadium in which he can’t wait to play?

“Anfield. When you start you’ll Never Walk Alone is magical, a bit like when Rome is at the Olimpico and first the fans sing: it is difficult not to sing, even playing as an opponent. But there are many stages anyway: that of Tottenham is new and I hear it is beautiful, Old Trafford who is historical. I can’t wait to play in all, also because they are different from Italy, with the fans more close to Italy. field “.

An attacker who wants to mark?

“Haaland, still him. I faced him with the national team, now I can’t wait to play against it because I think he is the strongest attacker right now in the Premier League. But there are many players with whom I can’t wait to play, that I want to see live: Salah to start, but also players not of top teams such as Eze of Crystal Palace”.

The premier continued to follow her, then …

“Yes, I have a subscription to Sky. I don’t follow it as the Serie A, which I looked at every game, but I followed both the big match and the high ranking teams: at the level of rhythm and intensity it takes a lot”.

What did he know about Brighton?

“I knew it was a company with a nice project, but when I arrived they really amazed me. The sports center seems to me an absurd thing: they had sent me the videos of the training center to make me know the team and it seemed to me what from artificial intelligence. Here instead I discovered that it was all true: they take care of every aspect, from cuisine to recovery; they have yoga and pilates lessons, a gigantic gym, saunas, hot and cold tanks. flaw.

How do you prepare for the leap in the premier?

“Training make the difference. I only played in Verona: here they are more intense and different. An example: in the lending racing without the ball they have never made it, while in many teams of A often at the beginning you do only that. I have to adapt, as for the new weekly program: here we have two free days, which in Verona did not exist. They are different rhythms, but I like it”.

“In Igor, who played in Fiorentina, speaks Italian well and took me under his wing. He told me that here you have to always be careful, especially in the game because there is never a moment when you can relax. He explained to me the differences between football in Italy and here, even in training”.

How is the insertion into the team?

“Well, I also talked about it with mister and staff. I have no expectations to play owner immediately, because the defenders are there and the level is high, but slowly I think I will be able to make my way and earn my minutes”.

What should you do to be successful?

“Treating every aspect: nutrition, sleep, recovery, gym. But in the end it is as I did in Italy: the approach cannot be different. I will have to get used to their methods, also to the fact that there is no pre -match retreat here, but they are littleness to which we adapt quickly”.

One thing he learned in Serie A who will be useful in the premier?

“In my years in Verona we have always had coaches who played man. I think the defensive phase, being on man is a base that I learned and that will help me a lot”.

“I had it in Verona, I took it when I got from the youthful. He brought me well: in the years I did there we always saved ourselves and I did mine, with the ups and downs of the start of his career. When I arrived here and they asked me the number I thought to take him back: maybe he will take me well here too …”.

How’s life in England?

“Fortunately, I have never found a rainy day in Brighton: there is always the sun, then there is the sea and it does not seem a sad country as they say in Italy. I have always lived in Verona, for me it is a great change also because I have all friendships, family. I am finding myself well, however: in the team there are many guys of my age, even to go out in the evening or eat something on the free day. Italy is Italy, but I don’t miss it.”

Have you also tried the English guide?

“The first time yesterday: it is not as difficult as it may seem. In the end you just put yourself in your head that you have to stay left and go. You get used to it.”

How does the dream season end?

“If we have to dream, I say that we win the Premier League. If we have to be more realistic, I say to get to the Champions League area. For my part, do as many games possible. And to get to the end healthy, which is the one that really matters”.