🎙️ INTERVIEW | Idrissi with the media

At the end of the open-door training session, Riyad Idrissi spoke to the media in attendance, analyzing his personal and team situation a few days before the match in Bergamo and following the excellent victory against Roma.

THE MOMENT
“The victory against Roma gave us a lot of confidence, not because it wasn’t there before, but it certainly gives you more peace of mind and a sense of self-worth and the work you’re doing. The group has proven to be solid and on point, and we’re happy to have the fans here to support us, even in training. We’re preparing well for the match against Atalanta, and we’re doing it with a smile. The goal is to maintain consistency, and performance always comes from daily work.”

THE DEBUT IN SERIE A
I’m fine, I’m happy, and I’m trying to be ready, gain experience, and contribute as a young player with only one season of professional football behind him after coming out of the youth academy. My experience in the youth academy? Cagliari’s is truly like a family; whoever arrives, wherever they come from, integrates seamlessly, becoming an active part of the team. Personal relationships last, even when paths diverge, as is normal in football. I know the coach well; he gives you a lot of advice both on and off the pitch. As a former defender with us, he speaks in a more role-focused manner, but overall, he pays attention to detail and leaves nothing to chance. The first rule is always to give it your all and go hard. And Pisacane certainly pays extra attention to young players because he wants them to reach their full potential, and there are plenty of them in our group. The goal is to grow together, with enthusiasm, accepting mistakes as constructive, improving collectively and individually in technical fundamentals and in responding to tactical dictates.

TO ATALANTA
“The optimism and smile have never been lacking; it’s clear that victory makes the difference. We’d also done well in previous matches; against Napoli and Roma, we saw something extra in terms of sacrifice and focus on every aspect. Taking the Italian champions to penalties and beating Roma gives us enormous confidence. My celebration after the defensive tackle against Roma? It was a rush of adrenaline, I celebrated almost as if I’d scored a goal. It was a crucial moment under the Curva Nord. In those moments, you put everything on the line and the energy is at its peak, but that demonstrated the hunger the whole team had to get three points.”

NATIONAL TEAM
“Coach Baldini knows and describes himself well. He has enormous experience and has written important chapters in football history. But what makes him a great person and coach is his humanity. He often tells us to work hard every day and continue on our path, believing in our dreams and doing it with a smile. We have a great relationship, there’s a wonderful group in the Under-21s, and there’s great chemistry that we hope will lead to great sporting results for Italian football.”