Inter defender Lorenzo Pirola recalled his debut for the club last season, whilst also admitting he was unsure if he would return following a loan spell at Monza.

The 19-year-old was handed his debut during Inter’s 4-0 Serie A win over SPAL in July before moving to Serie B club Monza on loan this season, where he has gone on to make 10 appearances.

In an interview published in today’s newspaper edition of Il Giorno, the centre-back revealed that representing Inter had been a boyhood dream come true, as well as what coach Antonio Conte had told him in the build up to the match.

“I felt so many emotions. I’ve been an Interista since I was a child, I spent the whole year with the first team and being able to make my debut with the team that I have always supported was a dream come true,” Pirola claimed.

“I still remember Conte’s words, he told me to stay calm and to be ready in the days leading up to it.”

Monza currently sit fourth in Serie B as they look to challenge for promotion to the top flight and the teenager believed it could be achieved, despite a recent downturn in form.

“We all have negative periods within the season, we had done well until recently. The victory against Cremonese gives us drive and confidence, now we want to win all our matches.

“I absolutely still believe in it. We have always believed in it, during the good and the difficult times. We know our potential, we are still going for automatic promotion.

“I was the youngest player in Appiano, I am the youngest in Monza but here I have improved from all points of view: playing with the senior team helps a lot.

“I thank the coach (Cristian Brocchi), he has always given me confidence by taking me into consideration and pushing me. It was normal not to start straight away, I knew I was the youngest in a great squad. I worked hard and waited for my moment, now I have 10 appearances.

“Giuseppe Bellusci, who is my partner in defence, gives me advice. He has a lot of experience, he helps me a lot but he is not the only one. We have an important dressing room, with [Kevin-Prince] Boateng and [Mario] Balotelli.”

Pirola also revealed that Monza CEO Adriano Galliani had been a key factor in his move to the club, as well as retaining him in the January transfer window.

“A call from Galliani made me happy. I was leaving Inter on Conte’s advice, Monza is a competitive team important goals. I challenged myself, knowing that for a young man like me it would not be easy. I had requests from other clubs in January. I wasn’t playing here but Galliani always told me that staying here would be the best choice. He was right.”

However, Pirola admitted that he was unsure if he would back at Inter next season, whilst giving an insight into how difficult it is to face Nerazzurri striker Romelu Lukaku.

“I don’t know what will happen. Now this last month is very important, then maybe the European Championship too and I am only thinking about doing the best I can. Then we’ll see.

“Believe me, I don’t know how Lukaku can be stopped. Obviously I was struggling too, like everyone else. He’s incredible,” Pirola concluded.