Five things you perhaps didn't know about Diego Godin

MILANO – Godin is a mix of experience, a desire to win and determination, with these traits going hand in hand with an innate passion for 'futbol'. The following five extracts are from his interview for our Matchday Programme, through which we were able to get to know him a bit better.

1 – DIEGO GODIN GREW UP PRACTISING VARIOUS SPORTS:

"I started playing at the age of five, and football was my main sport. However, I also practised other sports – swimming, basketball,  volleyball and athletics – until I turned 15. These were all disciplines which helped me develop phyiscally and in terms of my coordination."

2 - HE HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN A DEFENDER:

"I started out as a striker before moving into midfield and finally finding my calling in defence. Defenders, just like the goalkeeper, can see the whole pitch in front of them and have a great responsibility: they need to exude strength. This is how I interpret the role: there's a focus on the team and the collective."

3 - EXPERIENCE AND A PHRASE WHICH GUIDES THE WAY:

"Experience isn't a title, you gain it by going through certain situations. I always say: 'Either you win or you learn'. Football isn't mathematics: two plus two doesn't always equal four."

4 - AN INSTINCT FOR GOAL

"I've scored most of my goals with my head. My main job is to defend, but I also have an instinct to head to the opposition box for set plays. I always aim for the best and, when it comes down to it, I want to win in whatever way I can."

5 – THE UNIQUE LINK BETWEEN THE FANS, TEAM AND CLUB

"The energy that is created between the team, coach, Club and fans is vital, it's important for everyone to head in the same direction in a positive fashion. The atmosphere is crucial, it's the people that make a club great."

Click here to reread the Matchday Programme featuring the full interview with the Nerazzurri defender.