🎙️ INTERVIEW | One-on-one with Yanis Massolin

His debut against Juventus, his first few weeks at Cagliari, and his journey to Italy and Serie A. Yanis Massolin is one of the Rossoblù’s new faces and opens up in an interview with the Club’s official channels.

A CLEAR AND CONVINCED CHOICE
“I chose Cagliari because they were the Club that showed the most interest in me, and their playing principles are very much in line with my own. It was a logical, easy choice,” explains the Frenchman. His decision was based on the trust shown in him and the affinity he felt with the team’s style of play, something that has been confirmed during his first few days in Sardinia. “As for Sardinia and Cagliari, I didn’t know them personally, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. It’s a beautiful city, and I’m really happy to be here.”

THE WELCOME AND THE FANS’ PASSION
His integration into the squad has been positive from the outset, also thanks to the presence of several French-speaking teammates. “I’ve been given a fantastic welcome. I was lucky to join a team with several guys who speak French, which made settling in easier. My teammates have welcomed me very warmly, and you can tell it’s a really close-knit group. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the fans. The first time I went to the stadium, I was in the stands for the game against Inter. The atmosphere was truly incredible. It’s essential to feel that kind of support.”

THE DREAM OF PLAYING IN SERIE A
“Playing in Serie A was a dream I had as a child. When you’re young, you always want to go as far as possible in football. I’m really delighted, especially to have made my debut in front of our fans who, as I said, gave us a huge boost. That helps us a lot on the pitch. “We’ve made a very good start to the season. Personally, I’m not surprised, because I know what we do throughout the week, the intensity of our training sessions and the discipline everyone shows. I think all of that can only lead to results at the weekend, and our aim is to keep going in the same direction.
“Every player in the team has impressed me in their own way, but I think our greatest strength lies above all in our mentality. The fact that we’re so united is what helps us win games and pick up points. That’s what has impressed me the most. I have a good relationship with the coach, and I share his playing principles.”

THE JOURNEY FROM FRANCE TO CAGLIARI
Born in Moulins and raised in Annemasse, Massolin has followed a different path from that of many professional footballers. Football gradually became a real opportunity in his life, eventually turning into a profession. “My father also played football, in the French second division. It was when I was around 17 that I really started taking football seriously. I didn’t come through a professional youth academy, so I didn’t follow the same path as everyone else. I realised a little later that it could become a career. “My time at Modena taught me a great deal. I learned so much there, including how to adapt. That’s why my settling-in period here in Cagliari has been shorter than when I moved from France to Modena. My time at Modena was hugely valuable to me.”

TECHNICAL ABILITY AND THE DESIRE TO IMPROVE
“I think my strengths are both technical and physical. I believe I can help the team as much as possible by doing what the coach asks of me. I also think I need to get more involved in the game, because the intensity is different from Serie B. I need to make decisions more quickly, too, because the game is played at a faster pace here than I was used to at Modena.
“I need to be quicker in my decision-making and get more involved. I want to improve my involvement in the game and get an even better understanding of our playing principles so that I can perform better on the pitch.”

YAYA TOURÉ AND MESUT ÖZIL: TWO ROLE MODELS
Among the players who have caught his attention most are two midfielders with different characteristics, but both capable of making a decisive impact on a game. “I don’t have any idols, but one player I really liked was Yaya Touré. As a midfielder, I thought he was one of the most complete players around.” Alongside the former Ivory Coast midfielder, another source of inspiration was Mesut Özil. “I really liked his passing ability and his unselfishness.”

FOCUS ON MONZA
“We’re all working well during the week, as we always do, but we expect a difficult game because they’re a very good team. If I can make a decisive contribution and help the team, all the better, but the most important thing is to bring home the three points. “On a personal level, I’d like to play as many games as possible and gain as much experience as I can. A message for the fans? I’d love to give them some great moments and a good season with plenty of points and, hopefully, lots of home wins in front of them.”