Dutu discusses joining Milan, idolising Nesta, impressive team-mates and career aims | OneFootball

Milan Primavera defender Matteo Dutu has spoken about his journey to this point in football and how he has found it since making the move to the club.

Nine days after he underwent his medical with the club back in July, the Milan official website confirmed the arrival of Dutu who departed Lazio following the expiration of his contract in search of a new challenge.

He was born 23 November 2005 in Rome and has Romanian origins but is an Italian national. He came through the academy of the Biancocelesti, where he played for the Primavera squad last season when the team reached the Scudetto semi-final.

The teenager is one of many players who is hoping to pass through the Futuro team en route to becoming a first team member in the future, following the path of others like Francesco Camarda and Alex Jimenez.

Dutu did an interview with PianetaMilan in which he lifted the lid on life as a Milan youth team player and also away from the football field too, with his comments relayed below.

Why football?

“My passion was born in my family, from my uncle, from my brother. I got it a lot from my brother, I am very close to him and, playing under the house, in the courtyard of the house, this passion was born.”

What were the first steps?

“I took my first steps at Lazio, at the age of six. I then spent thirteen years there, then I moved to Milan.”

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Who are your idols?

“My idol has always been Nesta. In fact, the Lazio-Milan transfer reminded me of him a lot, and rightly so, maybe it’s just a coincidence, but my idol is him.

“I don’t have a real role model at the moment, but I try to steal the eye from the greatest defenders. For example, in Real Madrid, Rudiger or the new Raul Asencio who is establishing himself as a young player, a great example.

“But also in Italy, the Milan boys, every time I have the chance to train with them I try to learn as much as possible. In particular? I like everyone in the defensive department, each one rightly has different characteristics, perhaps the one I like the most is Matteo Gabbia.”

Why that number?

“I also chose number 13 here in honour of my idol.”

You weren’t always a central defender…

“I have almost always been a central defender, just two years ago I changed role, I was a midfielder. However, for most of my path I played as a central defender, I felt better.”

What was it like to get the call from Milan?

“The call came at the end of last year, towards the end of last season. I also had other clubs, but when the call from Milan came, both because I have always admired this great club, and for the name and everything, I immediately put it in pole position.

“When the call from Prof [the professor, Vincenzo] Vergine came together with Moncada it was easy to convince me.”

First thoughts at Milan?

“The thing that struck me the most was definitely the crest. It seems trivial, but as soon as I saw it, it gave me a special feeling. Then the sports center in Milanello is beautiful, well organised, the people who work there are cheerful and make you feel at home.”

What is it like growing up while playing?

“It certainly hasn’t been easy in recent years, especially because of school, this year I started university. But the club puts you in a position to do it, it helps you in all cases. In transport to get to the pitch, in your free time. It allows you to do it. It just takes a bit of willpower.

“I chose Economics. I like the world of economics. I was hesitant about Philosophy, but at the last minute I chose Economics.”

Biggest hobby?

“My biggest hobby is another sport, Formula 1. I watch it all the time, I’m a big fan, I follow it. Now with Hamilton’s change to Ferrari even more.

“I like playing PlayStation with my friends, because since I moved I don’t see them much and it’s like I’m with them in my free time. My best? It depends on the games, I like Fifa.”

Who have you bonded with?

“At Milan I got along well with practically everyone. I bonded with Bakoune, Scotti, Perrucci, Ossola, I bonded with almost everyone.”

A team-mate who impressed you?

“Definitely, he is also establishing himself in the first team, Jimenez. You can see it right away. We can say that he is in another category.

“With the guys I have been training with in the last few months I can’t help but mention Liberali, he has immense quality. But also other players like Ossola, Comotto, Bonomi. There are so many.”

What is the feeling like in the squad?

“We are establishing a good relationship between us, with the staff, with the physiotherapists. A good bond is being created, this in my opinion is very important. We try to see each other outside the field too, maybe for dinner. And this is also how a good relationship is established.”

What do you aim to improve on?

“With Mister Guidi I try to improve many qualities. One above all is the posture of the body when I have the ball, but also the building from the back, on which perhaps I have worked a little less in the past years. Or, being big, speed in the first steps. Little by little I feel that I am improving these qualities.”

You have scored goals too…

“It’s beautiful! As a centre-back, I don’t often rejoice, but when it happens, it’s always a great feeling.”

Advice to younger players?

“I try to give advice and my experience, as much as I can get. From a technical point of view, the staff and the coach take care of it, I take care, together with other guys, from a character point of view and I try to make the young people understand that it is an important possibility where we are.”

What is Guidi like?

“The Mister is a demanding Mister, he looks at the details. In my opinion it is important because it helps us grow as boys, players and as a team. He asks us to give 100% every day, because only in this way can we aspire to the big stages.”

And Vergine?

“The Prof is a reference figure, he was important both in getting me there and in my path in this company. And, as said before, he is a great point of reference and admiration.”

A secret dream?

“Certainly winning a World Cup. It’s the biggest dream a child or a footballer can have. As for the next goals, reaching the first team with this shirt.”