Persaing Emile Audero Di Italia U-17, Kini Michele Di Gregorio Singi Donnarumma Di Gli Azzurri

Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio did not expect to be called up by the Italian national team d UEFA Nations League. (X/@Azzurri_En)

JAKARTA - Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio has competed with Indonesian goalkeeper Emile Audero in the Italian U-17 national team. Now, Di Gregorio did not expect to get a call from the senior national team and competed with Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Di Gregorio, sebelumnya, hanya bermain di klub-klub medioker. Despite starting his career in the elite Italian Serie A team, Inter Milan, pada 2017 hingga 2022, namun Di Gregorio lebih sering dipinjakan ke klub lain.

Ironically, the goalkeeper for the Inter junior team was loaned out to Serie C clubs before being loaned by Monza who competed in Serie A. The 27-year-old goalkeeper was then permanent by Monza for 6 million euros in 2022.

From the middle club, Di Gregorio's career then shot up when he joined Juventus. Interestingly, he recruited Juve at the direct request of coach Thiago Motta.

It would not be interpreted if Di Gregorio instead shifted Wojciech Szczesny, who seemed irreplaceable under the Juve bar. His presence accelerated Szczesny's retirement at Juve, after the Bianconeri, Szczesny then joined Barcelona following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury.

Di Gregorio himself proved Juve was not wrong in recruiting him. He became the first choice and not goalkeeper Mattia Perin who instead became Di Gregorio's coating after Szczesny's departure.

He showed good performance and was able to clean sheet for six matches.wang. Di Gregorio finally conceded when Juve drew 1-1 against Cagliari.

Success at Juve, he also received a call from the senior national team. Yes, coach Luciano Spalletti called him to replace the injured Alex Meret.

Now, Di Gregorio is competing with main goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma when Italy played two UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium and Israel. Even Di Gregorio did not expect to get a call from Spalletti.

"I always say a lot of Italian goalkeepers are great and play great. So, I was really happy to get the first call from the national team," Di Gregorio was quoted as saying by Football Italia.

"I can't wait to help the team. I started my career in Serie C when I was 19. Then for three years I played in Serie B. I was finally able to promote with Monza and now with Juventus," said he who couldn't believe it because five years ago he was still playing in Serie C, now he is already in the elite ranks of goalkeepers with top clubs in the Italian League and the Italian national team.

In his career in the national team, Di Gregorio only briefly defended Italy U-17. He also only became a coating for Emile Audero who was said to be replacing Gianluigi Buffon as an Italian goalkeeper.

Hanya, karier Audero mengalami kesegangan meskipun pernah membela Juve. Kiper lahir Mataram, NTB, ini sulit menggantikan Szczesny sehingga lebih sering dipinjakan. Terakhir, dia dipinjak Inter Milan untuk menjadi pelayan Yann Sommer.

After becoming part of the Inter squad that won the Scudetto for the 2024 season, Audero joined Como. A promotional team supported by Indonesian cigarette companies.

"There are people who turn out to believe in me more than myself. But I have to keep evolving because I want to show my abilities," he said.

Italy face Belgium in the Group 2 League A match at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Friday, October 11, 2024 in the morning WIB. Furthermore, Gli Azzurri again acted as host by hosting Isrel, Tuesday, October 15, 2024 in the morning WIB.