Michele Di Gregorio’s journey over the past year reads like a Hollywood script. In just 350 days, the goalkeeper has gone from playing for Monza to being Juventus’ number one at the Club World Cup, facing some of the world’s best teams and players. Now, as Juventus chase glory in the United States, Di Gregorio opened up to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the team’s transformation under coach Igor Tudor, his own development, and the ambitions driving the Bianconeri.
“When You’re at Juventus, the Only Thought Is to Win”
Reflecting on Juventus’ strong start to the Club World Cup, Di Gregorio emphasized the club’s winning mentality:
“When you’re at Juventus, the only thought is to always win. After two victories in the first two group matches, I think it’s even more right to believe in it. We’re here to honor this competition in the best way and, since we’re Juventus, also to win it.”
Tudor’s Impact: “He Lifted Us Emotionally”
Much of Juve’s resurgence is credited to Igor Tudor, who took over during a difficult period. Di Gregorio explained:
“Beyond tactics, which are always important, Tudor was especially good at striking the right emotional chords with the team. When he arrived at Juventus at the end of March, we were coming off two heavy defeats and it was hard to get back up. But he managed it.”
The Winning Formula: “Aggressiveness, Running, Intensity”
Asked about the key to Juventus’ turnaround, Di Gregorio pointed to Tudor’s demands:
“Tudor asked us for aggressiveness, a lot of running, intensity—and that’s what still allows us to do well on the pitch. Both in our World Cup debut and against Wydad, I saw a team well set up and physically strong for 95 minutes.”
A New Juventus in the USA
This season, Juventus look more confident and less fearful than the side that only just scraped Champions League qualification. Di Gregorio shared his perspective:
“I think the minimum goal in the league was fourth place, but things got complicated and everything became harder. But we managed to come together as a team, with clear ideas. After securing Champions League qualification, we came to America to play this important and beautiful competition against the best teams in the world. It inevitably gives you an extra boost.”
“Tudor Involves Me in the Play and Emotionally”
Di Gregorio also described how his own role has evolved:
“Aggressiveness and pushing forward are the key characteristics the coach has instilled in us from the first training session. We’re a lively, aggressive team—everyone plays high, and even the goalkeeper has to cover more space. Tudor involves me in the play and on a character level.”
On Losing His Clean Sheet
Against Wydad, Di Gregorio conceded his first goal of the tournament. Did it sting?
“It’s always important to make saves, whatever the result. We’ll analyze the goal we conceded, we like to improve, and we’ll work in that direction for the next match.”
Impressed by Other Goalkeepers
With so many top clubs in the Club World Cup, Di Gregorio was asked which goalkeepers have caught his eye:
“There are many strong ones. I know more of the goalkeepers from European clubs, but as the competition goes on, I’m sure others will impress me as well.”
“At Juventus, You Grow in Every Way”
Looking back on his rapid rise and what’s changed in his game, Di Gregorio reflected:
“Any season helps you grow. And at Juventus, even more so. In a club like this, you start to understand that you always have to play to win and the pressure is always higher. I don’t see myself as having grown in just one specific area, but really in every aspect, 360 degrees.”
