Inter defender Diego Godin discussed the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, his time with the Nerazzurri and former team Atletico Madrid in an interview with the Uruguayan Football Federation on Instagram Liver earlier today. His words were noted by Italian media outlet FcInterNews.

“The situation here in Italy is improving, now you can run to the park and some companies can reopen. The restart of football? The league and the government are trying to reach an agreement on the health protocol. We’re waiting, we don’t know anything.”

He then spoke about the difficulties of living through the ongoing emergency.

“The first few days were very hard. Italy is the second country in the world where the pandemic exploded after China, the first in Europe. We were surprised because we had no experience. Here in the North the health system collapsed, there is the biggest outbreak. We saw bad pictures on TV. Not being able to say goodbye to a dead person or family members is the hardest thing about this situation.”

The 34-year-old spoke about Inter’s position in regard to the Coronavirus and the restart of the season.

“We spoke last week with the technical staff, doctors and management. Inter behaved spectacularly with us, they sided with the workers, not just us players. It has always given priority to health, to government regulations. Football is something that can distract people, but now there are other priorities and the club respects the government’s decisions. You have to applaud them, they behaved well.”

Godin discussed the Italian league and how he is finding it.

“I found a physical style of football, we work a lot on tactics. Even though we worked a lot on this with Cholo, here we take even more care, we study our rivals, we watch videos every day. Now I play in a back three, more or less like the one we had in Uruguay. But Conte’s line is aggressive, we defend in open space. I run more kilometers, it’s a big change after 20 years of my career, at all levels.”

He spoke about the toughest forward that he’s faced in Serie A.

“I have to think about it… We’ve played against Parma against some counter-attacks, Gervinho is a very fast forward and he’s made life difficult for us as well as Kulusevski.”

The Uruguayan defender discussed the ongoing Serie A title race between Juventus, Lazio and the Nerazzurri.

“Juve are first, Lazio have a squad they’ve known for years and they’ve improved it. We have to recover the game against Samp… Juve win matches with great authority, they have a deep squad, but I’m sure Lazio will fight until the end.”

Godin touched on his famous goal against Barcelona that secured the league title for Atletico.

“One of the best moments of my career, it was special. Then there are also the historic matches won in Champions League, the Copa del Rey win at the Bernabeu against Real.”

He spoke about his former coach Diego Simeone.

“Cholo is a complete coach, I’ve always said that. He works a lot on tactical work, he prepares the games intelligently. He has innate things.”

Godin was asked if he would return to Atletico Madrid to which he replied he wouldn’t return to play but wouldn’t exclude anything in the future after he’s stopped playing.

“A lot of people ask me that. Atletico was the most beautiful stage of my career, then I turned over a new leaf. Now I’m having a different experience at Inter, where I’m growing and learning new things. I’ll always be a fan, I don’t know if I’ll come back one day in another capacity.”

The 34-year-old spoke about his favourite memory with the Uruguayan national team.

“Without a doubt, beyond goals and victories, the moment when people welcomed us as champions after the 2010 World Cup.”

Finally, Godin spoke about his favourite goal with the Uruguayan national team.

“The one against Italy, without a doubt, at the 2014 World Cup. Then those in qualifying against Colombia and Bolivia.”