The Japanese Yuto Nagatomo was this week’s guest on Inter Channel’s program Inter Drive, in which an Inter player is interviewed during a drive by the host of the program Nagaja Beccalossi.
How do you drive?
“I drive well, I’m calm. I’m disciplined, Japanese people are like that. After three years, I don’t yet know the streets of Milan (laughs ed.)”
What were you like as a child?
“I was crazy, don’t you see it? (Laughs ed.) I caused problems with my friends. Family? I live here with my sister now. It’s me and two brothers, the youngest lives in Tokyo. My sister really likes to live here, the food is good. It is a beautiful city with nice people. I like the affection from the people. I don’t go out much, I have to rest before the games.”
How much do you rest?
“It’s essential to run and play well.”
When did you start playing?
“At age seven, at school, with friends. When I realized it could be my job? From the beginning, it was my dream since childhood.”
Did you follow the European football?
“No, not as a child, just the Japanese. There baseball is more famous, but football is growing.”
Did you dream of playing in Europe?
“Yes, then I saw the Serie A too. I saw Inter , Juventus and Milan’s matches.”
School?
“I wasn’t doing so well. I liked PE classes, I was good there. After I finished, I played football and swam. I swam for three or four years, but it wasn’t a passion. Useful for resistance? Maybe it has helped me.”
At the training camp you ran more than the others.
“Nobody ran with me, they told me to calm down . They were afraid. Who kept up with me? Andreolli and Juan, but Marco the most. He runs, but I run more.”
What did you think when you came to Italy?
“I was very happy because Serie A is known throughout the world, not just in Japan. Then Inter is a good team, I’m very pleased. Scared of the change? It was exciting in Cesena, but then Inter came. In 2010, they won everything, I saw it from Cesena, Inter were too strong with Mourinho.”
The university?
“I studied economics in Tokyo. I’m watchful with money, you have to be careful and not cause trouble.”
The change from Tokyo to Cesena?
“For me it was like living in my house, countryside and sea. It felt good, I liked it very much. The first thing I learned? I can’t say (laughs ed.), perhaps the phrase ‘let’s eat ‘. The food is good here, I liked everything: the risotto, pasta, pizza and seafood. I had a hard time communicating with my teammates in the beginning. The coach explained something to me and I understood nothing. He told me to go right and I went to the other side.”
Have you studied Italian now?
“After six months, I began to understand and talk, to communicate with my teammates. It was a nice group in Cesena, then they chanted my name on the stadium.”
The arrival at Inter?
“I didn’t believe it, it’s normal. I left right away, I was training when my agent told me I had to come to Milan immediately. I drove there, I thought of many things during the three-hour journey. It was a dream.”
How much responsibility do you feel for being the first Japanese at Inter?
“It’s a great responsibility, I’m honored. The same goes for wearing the captain’s armband, a big responsibility. Thank you all, even though my teammates have joked with me.”
Zanetti?
“We hit it off immediately, the first time I walked into the locker room, he gave me a bow. Since then I have a great relationship with everyone. I like to joke, especially with Cassano. I learned many things from him, he was my teacher (laughs ed.).”
Does he deserve to play in the World Cup?
“Yes, I would like to play against him. He is very strong, even as a person.”
Is Zaccheroni good?
“Very, he does well. He hasn’t learned Japanese, but he likes the country very much. We are growing so much, he has helped us.”
Has Mazzarri helped you?
“Yes, he also, I have scored 5 goals and made 4 assists. I imagined that I could do well. The coach is important, the coach gave me the confidence and courage when I play. A lot has changed, even Johnny. Against Verona he played very well. For us it is important to play and have confidence, without feeling pressure. You develop your personality as well as tactically.”
How far can you reach?
“I think you have to believe in third place, even if it’s hard.”
Advice for young people?
“Always believe in it. To the kids I would say you need to dream and believe in it.”
Ready for your workout?
“Of course, always. Before the pass, I run, I go out alone for 30 minutes with the ball, it’s important. Even after training I’ll stay on to do something.”
Source: fcinternews.it
