Demiral: ‘I can improve at Atalanta’
Merih Demiral believes he can ‘improve’ after joining Atalanta from Juventus and has ‘heard about Gian Piero Gasperini’s tough training sessions.’
The Turkey international made the move on loan for €2.5m with option to buy for €25m plus bonuses and a cut of any future transfer fee.
“I am very happy, because Atalanta are a great team, they have wonderful fans and this is an important new opportunity for me,” the defender told the official club YouTube channel.
“Even though I am still young, I have been fortunate enough to play in Serie A for several years. I keep hearing about Gasperini’s tough training sessions and I am here to work. I know that I can improve here.”
Atalanta reached the Coppa Italia Final last season, losing against Demiral’s Juventus.
“My objectives this year are to win a trophy with Atalanta. I won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa at Juve, but now I want to get silverware with Atalanta too.”
The 23-year-old first came to Italy for Sassuolo in January 2019 and within six months had earned an €18m move to Juventus.
His career stalled slightly when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in January 2020, which kept him out for the rest of the season.
“Serie A is difficult, but we have a strong team and a strong mentality, that’s important for me. We’ll see what happens in Serie A and the Champions League, as Atalanta have been in that tournament for the last three years in a row.
“The most important thing for me is to put 100 per cent into every game and I can’t wait for the first match.”