“We’re In A New Start, So We Want To Get Back Into The Champions League”
Written By Onyeka Daniel
This season, Juventus were touted as the main challenger to Inter Milan in the Scudetto race, at least after the League got half way, but after 24 rounds of matches, the Nerazzurri have opened a healthy lead to the Bianconeri at the top of the table.
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While Inter could look to runaway with the lead at the top of the table, for Juve, the goal still remains a top four finish, and this has been constantly reiterated by their manager, Massimiliano Allegri. Now, their captain has joined the chorus.
Brazilian defender, Danilo spoke on several issues related to the club, including ‘football idols’ Gigi Buffon and Pep Guardiola, his intention to finish his career in Europe and is ‘very proud’ to be captain of Juventus. The veteran has worked his way up to captain of the Bianconeri and sat down with TNT Sports Brasil for a long interview covering his past, present and future career.
“I am very proud to be captain, as a team with great tradition like Juventus has long been represented by Italian players. After being vice-captain last season, I became the captain this term. “I think it is because of my experience in other leagues and countries, due to my way of communicating with my teammates, the referees and the whole Juventus universe.
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“The fact that the decision made by the coach was accepted so well by my teammates, that fills me with pride. “I am also proud that the Italian fans, who defend their flag and their culture, often thank me for defending Juventus. I feel a part of the club, the city and its traditions.”
Danilo is a very old-school player off the field too, insisting he has “no need to show myself off in a super car and be in the middle of social media controversy. I can be an athlete at a top level, in one of the biggest clubs in the world, earn lots of money, and still live a normal life.” Juve are currently second in Serie A, but were excluded from the Champions League due to financial irregularities and that sparked a change in their strategy.
“We always looked to Italy as a country where players tend to emerge quite late, but recently Italian football is allowing young players to show their potential and talent, with good results. “Juventus are in something of a Year Zero, a new start, so we want to get back into the Champions League and return to being respected by the whole football world. Naturally, that also means challenging to the end for the title and the Coppa Italia.”
Among the former captains of Juventus were Gigi Buffon and the World Cup winner really impressed Danilo. “I always admired Buffon, but after seeing him day to day, I can honestly say he is my ultimate idol in football. He works so hard, is so humble, he tries to live a normal life despite being someone beyond everybody on a football level. He had such grit and when he spoke, he provided the team with such energy and a different aura.”
Danilo worked with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City from 2017 to 2019 and remains a huge fan of the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss. “I think that those who do not agree with him are only of that view out of personal issues or ego, not on a football level. His intelligence and the way he thinks about football, how to deal with timing and occupying the space, helps to indoctrinate players.
“He makes sure 95 per cent of the squad thinks the same way and that is what makes it most difficult for directors, in my view. “Guardiola also studies a great deal, keeps up to date with new ideas and focuses on the details, which all helps people believe in him. Every meeting we had with him in the Manchester City viewing hall was, as Fernandinho and I called it, a university lecture on football.”
Danilo turns 33 in July and has 54 senior caps for Brazil, though the Selecao have struggled recently. “As long as I am physically and mentally in good shape, I will always be at the disposal of Brazil. At the moment, I prefer playing in central defence, as it allows me to build moves and advance. I can also play as a right-back, but need to adapt for that. “I am not yet thinking about returning to Brazil at club level and am thinking of seeing out my career in Europe.” He further added on his future.
Meanwhile…
Antonio Conte is seemingly ready to return to the dugout but hasn’t held ‘fresh contacts’ with Napoli, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. It’s been almost a year since the Italian tactician left Tottenham in a rather acrimonious fashion.
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And he still hasn’t found a new job yet, although he has been heavily linked with Milan, Napoli and Roma in recent months. Conte is widely expected to take on a new job in Serie A, having suffered away from personal difficulties during his time in North London with Tottenham, and recent media reports claimed he’d been in contact with Napoli in recent weeks, having already rejected them in November.
Romano said in his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside that “the time now seems right” for Conte to return to coaching after his 11-month spell on the sidelines but couldn’t confirm any talks with Napoli despite recent reports from Italy.
“Conte said no to Napoli in October and I’m not aware of fresh contacts at this stage,” Romano underlined. The Italian coach will seemingly have a lot of options in the summer, with Milan, Roma and Napoli are all expected to make coaching changes. Apart from Napoli, he’s also being linked with AC Milan to possibly replace Stefano Pioli.
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