Darmian ‘very proud’ of Man Utd spell, talks Mourinho and Inter dream | OneFootball

Matteo Darmian reflected on Inter’s Champions League final loss last year, his time at Manchester United and his relationship with Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

The Italian full back found a late renaissance in his career when he joined the Nerazzurri from Parma in October 2020, arriving initially on loan before making a permanent move the following year. He quickly became a regular at the club and has proven important over the last few years.

Darmian is still an important part of Simone Inzaghi’s Inter squad now, seeing over 2300 minutes of action in a season that sees them fighting for both the Scudetto and the Champions League. His contract with the club lasts until June 2025.

Speaking to Radio Serie A via TMW, Darmian first discussed Inter’s drop in results last season.

“We had many ups and downs in the league, we didn’t have the consistency we needed. We are a strong team, we have always been united, in the second part of the season our values came out and we reached the Champions League final.

“The pitch showed that we were anything but underdogs, that was a defeat that hurt, because we came very close to achieving a dream. But even defeats can teach and can do good.

“I have watched that match many times, unfortunately the ending cannot be changed. The more the more you look at it, the more aware you are of having played a great match.”

He looked back at his four-year spell with Manchester United.

“I chose Manchester United and England because I wanted to deal with a new reality. To this day I am very proud of what I did.

“I was enthusiastic about that transfer and today I can say that I am proud of what I did. It is one of, if not the most important championships in the world, full of great champions.”

The 34-year-old spoke about his relationship with Mourinho.

“I have always had a good relationship with Josè, I think he always took me into consideration in those years, then it’s right that coaches make choices and I’ve always respected them.

“There was a sincere relationship between us, they were choices that he had to make and at that moment he preferred other players.

“Did we talk about Inter? Sometimes, being Italian, we talked about Inter. There were good memories of him, it was nice to hear him talk about that Inter that had written history.”

Darmian also opened up about his relationship with Conte.

“We spoke before my arrival at Inter. He told me about the role he wanted me to play. It was the post-Covid period, everything was postponed, and I arrived after the third matchday, during the international break.

“I remember the exact moment when I became an Inter player, when I joined Appiano on the first day after signing the contract. It was very emotional for me, when starting a new chapter, I always try to have a positive approach.

“Antonio Conte for me he was a very important coach, he allowed me to win, my first year at Inter coincided with winning the scudetto, I can only thank him.

“Euro 2016? It was an important journey, the feeling was that the national team could have played for it with everyone.”

He spoke about the scepticism from the Nerazzurri fans.

“I have always remained myself, aware of my value. As I said from day one, I have always tried to work hard, making myself available to the team to achieve the seasonal objectives.

“Interismo is passion, it means being part of a family and an important project, always ready to give everything for the cause.”

The Italian full back remembered winning the Scudetto with Inter.

“I remember at the beginning of the season, ups and downs with some disappointing results. The turning point came at Sassuolo, where we won 0-3. During the week we told ourselves in a meeting that to win we’d have to be ourselves, from there the climb started that allowed us to win.

“In that meeting we all spoke, we could feel the desire that had the team to do something important. The Scudetto is something special, winning is never easy, everything behind it is work and sacrifice.”

Darmian discussed how it would feel to win the second Scudetto star at Inter.

“Winning is never a given, it’s difficult. It would be a very important goal and even more exciting to achieve the second star.

“Winning it before Milan? We’re thinking about ourselves and achieving our goals. When you wear such an important shirt, you always have a great responsibility that requires a lot of effort.

“Winning is the only way to be remembered, winning the second Scudetto star would be something extraordinary.”

Finally, Darmian discussed his future and if Inter would be his last club.

“I hope to continue wearing this shirt for future years, for me they’re like a second family. The time to stop will come, I haven’t thought about my post-football career yet. I’d like to stay in this world, but don’t ask me to do any coaching today.

“Will Inter be the last club of my career? It’d be nice, I don’t know what’ll happen in the next few years, but it’s a dream.”