Inter defender Federico Dimarco is completely committed to his club, and helping them in Europe’s top competition is a dream for him.
Speaking to UEFA.com, the 24-year-old opened up about what representing the Nerazzurri in the Champions League means to him, and spoke about where his career is at with his club.
Dimarco returned to the Nerazzurri from a two-year loan with Hellas Verona over the season, and his displays this season have made him a regular in the team for important matches.
The versatile defender has taken the next step and made his mark in Serie A, and he hopes to be able to go further and make a positive impression in the latter stages of the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri can cement their place in the knockout rounds of the competition should they beat Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, and this could constitute another opportunity for Dimarco to show his quality.
“I was born a Nerazzurro,” the defender explained, “I feel this love inside of me. I had this feeling even before playing for Inter, as a child. When Inter lost I felt bad.”
About his first team debut he stated, “It was a Europa League match, I remember it was before Christmas. For me it was a dream come true, something I had dreamed of as a child. Wearing the shirt of the team I supported was incredible.”
“There have been difficult times,” he went on, “especially when I was injured or not playing, but I think these experiences have helped me to grow and mature, to become a man. Now I know more about myself and my abilities.”
On his return to Inter where he’s become part of the first team, Dimarco stated that “First of all, I was very happy that Inter had won the Scudetto last year even though I wasn’t there.”
“And then this year I’m very happy with how I have been playing and I hope to do even better,” he added.
Of coach Simone Inzaghi he said that “The coach is very well-prepared, as are the staff. They help me a lot and I try to improve day by day.”
“I think every child dreams of playing in the Champions League,” the defender went on. “When you go out on the pitch and listen to the anthem, you feel a different atmosphere – it’s something special. It’s hard to explain how it feels.”
On the prospect of reaching the round of sixteen with Inter Dimarco stated that “I think it would be very important for us. The match against Shakhtar was a difficult one and we know what happened last year.”
“Now it’s all in our hands,” he went on, “we just have to play the way we know how to. Getting through the group would be significant because we haven’t been able to do so for several years.”
He closed by stating that winning the Champions League with Inter would be “A dream come true. If I win it, it will stay in my heart forever.”
