In a candid interview (as quoted by IlBianconero) with journalists in the United States, Teun Koopmeiners reflected on his challenging season with Juventus, his recovery from injury, and his determination to prove his worth to the club. Here are his thoughts, shared in his own words.
Ready to Return: “Finally, I’m Feeling Better”
Koopmeiners began by updating fans on his physical condition after a lengthy absence:
“Yes, yes, yes, finally I’m feeling better. I’ve been out for another three months and clearly I’m not at one hundred percent. In this tournament, I need to grow game by game.”
Building Fitness: “I Need More Time”
He discussed conversations with coach Igor Tudor about his readiness to play a full match:
“I spoke with Tudor, I told him I still need time to improve my condition but also because it’s important that my Achilles tendon doesn’t bother me anymore. I don’t know how much more time it will take, but that’s how it is.”
Aiming for Silverware: “A Great Opportunity to Win a Trophy with Juve”
Looking ahead to the Club World Cup, Koopmeiners expressed his motivation:
“Of course, it’s a great opportunity to help my teammates again but above all to win a trophy with Juve, which was my goal when I came here.”
Honest Assessment: “I Am Not Happy, I Feel in Debt to Juventus”
Koopmeiners was frank about his feelings regarding the past season:
“Now I’m calmer, but it hasn’t been a very good season, you know, both because we didn’t win anything and because of how I played. I am not happy, but I also had, how do you say it?”
When prompted, he added:
“Exactly, bad luck. But I haven’t lost confidence and there’s still a chance to finish on a high note.”
Expectations and Responsibility: “I Know I Had to Do Better”
He acknowledged the weight of expectations and the challenges faced by the team:
“I had to do better regardless, that’s true, but it wasn’t an easy season for anyone because we changed so much at every level: we started with a lot of new players, then the coach and the management changed, and that didn’t help our growth. It takes a lot of matches to learn what the coach wants, so I think next year will be better and here in the United States we’re working every day for that. I missed consistency but that depended on many small factors; to have it, you need a strong team where everyone helps each other.”
On the pressure of his transfer fee, he admitted:
“I know, I know, when they pay you a lot of money, for example 50 or 60 million, and the team doesn’t perform, you’re the first to be criticized. I feel this responsibility, I know I have to do better and I can do better: I have the ability to play for Juventus and I want to prove it.”
He summarized his commitment:
“Yes, and in every training session and every match I want to show what I’m worth. As I said, I just need a bit of time, since I still don’t feel my tendon at one hundred percent. The important thing is to be at the top for the first match of the season.”
Working with Tudor: “I Play Where the Coach Needs Me”
Discussing his role under Tudor, Koopmeiners explained:
“I played with this system at Atalanta too. Now I’m a bit further forward, while in Bergamo I was a bit deeper in midfield.”
He clarified his preferred position:
“I play where the coach needs me, but for sure in general I am a midfielder and not a striker, so even when I’m further forward, and maybe Tudor wants me there, I interpret the role as a midfielder and not as a right or left attacker or as a number nine.”
