SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 17: Bournemouth’s Michele Di Gregorio warms up before the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and AFC Bournemouth at Estadio Anoeta on September 17, 2026 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
Michel Di Gregorio is proud that Bournemouth’s “mentality hasn’t changed” even against AC Milan in the Europa League, describes the difference in England and denies Bologna rumours.
The Italian goalkeeper moved to the Vitality Stadium on loan from Juventus in the summer and started just his second game for the club in tonight’s 3-0 win.
Mike Maignan’s red card in the 28th minute was decided by penalties from Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier, plus Amine Adli’s free kick.
Di Gregorio is enjoying Bournemouth
“Tonight we were at home, we knew it was an important match against a top team, we all know Milan, but our mentality doesn’t change,” Di Gregorio told Sky Sport Italia.
“Bournemouth insist on being aggressive, confronting every opponent with our ideas, our style of play and that’s the attitude we would take no matter what happens.”
Milan had no shots on target, so Di Gregorio had a quiet night in his second appearance at the Cherries since his summer loan move from Juventus with an option to buy. Had to warm up in the pouring rain?
“I felt a bit cold in goal tonight! But when a goalkeeper keeps a clean sheet, it’s a team effort, so I have to thank my teammates for that.”
Now that he has arrived in the Premier League, why do English teams start matches so strongly compared to Italy’s tendency to study their opponents?
“I think the big difference here is that every game is played with our ideas of football, which means attacking Italy and a different intensity. It leads to more open games and it doesn’t matter who you’re up against, whether it’s the top or the bottom of the table, you can take the risk of defeat.
“Everybody here has their own ideas and they stick to them, regardless of their opponent.”
Although a goalkeeper, how has Di Gregorio adapted to the cultural change of working in the English team?
“It’s been a big change for me, there’s certainly a difference in the training methods, but I feel the intensity is the biggest difference. Their tenacity, their determination, their attack to get the ball back right away, it’s extraordinary to me.”
The Juventus man left amid a wave of criticism, so is there anything he misses or misses about Italy?
“Even when I’m here, I still see some of what was said in Italy and I’m sad that things haven’t changed or improved, but this is football now and we can only stay within the rules of this game. Fortunately, so far me and my family are not missing anything, we’re very happy here, so everything is fine.”
The new head coach of “Bologna” Raffaele Palladino called Di Gregorio to return to Serie A in January.
“No, we have a good relationship and he can watch the games of the people he works with in Monza, we love each other, but nothing more than that.”