Mar 25, 2023

Rewrite this content Diomande is one of the names of the moment in Alvalade. Coming from Mafra, the centre-back has shown above-average maturity for his 19 years and has already played 7 games for the main team despite having only arrived at the end of January. In an extensive interview with the Sporting newspaper, the defender reveals his first impressions and recognizes that he still has room for improvement. Starting by revealing himself to be “very happy” to have signed for the leonine club, the player starts by highlighting the way he was received. “It was very exciting and everyone has helped me a lot. This is a good group and I already feel at home. Of course, at the beginning it was difficult with the more tactical issues, because it’s very different from what I’ve done. I had to learn and I continue to do so, but I also feel very supported by the technical team and I know I can continue to improve”, assures the young man who, as is natural in the seven games played, highlights the magical night in London when the lions eliminated Arsenal in the Europa League. “It was an exciting game. We knew Arsenal were doing great, in the warm-up we could hear the fans singing… It was something new for me, I just thought: ‘wow!’ When the game starts, I always try to start with confidence, make the first passes well. Those first balls are always important and I think I played with that confidence afterwards. It was a great game, we won it at the Emirates Stadium, and for me it was like a dream.” , he said. The memories of London will be forever marked, but the first big impact on Diomande’s career was the derby with FC Porto, in Alvalade. “I had never played in a club with such a big stadium and so many fans. When I joined FC Porto, the first time I played at home, it was a dream come true. It was different from anything I’ve ever experienced. a little more pressure when I had the ball, but then I started to feel comfortable playing my football”, added the defender who showed willingness to continue to evolve: “I’m a player able to deliver good passes, I like to have the ball and defensively I think I’m good at anticipation. I really like making good passes, but of course, defensively, I’m also happy when I make a good pass. I am aware, above all, that I have a lot to improve and that is what I try to do, firstly, more tactical aspects, regarding the defensive line, for example. I’m very focused on this, because it’s very important. I think that way I will be a much better player. In addition, I also want to improve my heading to score goals”. Admitting that he is used to the three-central scheme that is also used at Mafra, the young man recalls that at the previous club he was used “in the middle”, and is available to learn from more experienced colleagues. “With Coates I think I can learn a lot defensively, mainly in positioning. He has been talking to me a lot to help me. For example, the Jer (St. Juste), who is the fastest, is someone I have a good relationship with and we talk a lot on and off the pitch. I think I can learn a bit from all of them”, underlined the central defender who also highlighted the work of Rúben Amorim: “The coach trusts me, he is trying to help me on and off the field and I feel very comfortable here. He is a coach who likes to have the ball, I do too, so I immediately felt that I was in the ideal place. I may be playing well, but I have to keep improving, I know that. I always try to keep that in mind and I’ll do my best to make everyone happy.” At 19, Diomande is also keen to make the Ivory Coast senior squad, and believes a move to Sporting could help him. “Playing for my country’s national team is one of my dreams. One day the time will come, but first I have to keep working”, confesses the athlete who has already fulfilled the first part of his dream, which was to reach European football: “FC Olympic Sport Abobo always has a lot of scouts there watching the players. I knew that if I played well and showed myself one day I could come to Europe. I always had that goal in mind”. From the cold of Denmark to Mafra Diomande ended up achieving his goal by signing for Midtjylland in 2021/22 and, despite recognizing that he started to realize his dream there, he admitted some difficulties in adapting to Denmark. “At the beginning it was difficult because it was very cold. However, they gave me a host family and I could be with them and we had meals together, for example. It was my house and I know that if I wanted to go there tomorrow, it would be great -received by them. They are my Danish family and they helped me a lot”, recognizes the Leon reinforcement who still remembers the first steps taken in European football: “I started by playing in the under-19 team and also in the UEFA Youth League. good experience for a young man and both me and my family were happy. Above all, I was able to improve my tactical understanding. After the games, for example, they helped me to improve by showing me videos, for example. This is one of the great differences I felt between Africa and Europe. There are many African players who have these difficulties related to the more tactical aspects, concentration in all training and understanding what the coach wants. The following year I still did the pre-season with they still think I wanted to play for the first team, but they felt I wasn’t ready yet and I was loaned to Mafra”. Admitting that arriving at Sporting was “the best moment of his career”, the young man admitted that his main difficulty is being away from his family. “Here in Portugal I like to stay at home. I always do it in the afternoon, after training in the morning, to take advantage of the day to rest, watch a movie or be on my cell phone. I talk a lot with my parents, my family and friends Every day, basically. It’s hard to be away, but it’s normal in the life of a footballer. I understand that and I know that one day I’ll be with them again and it will be a great moment. They’re all in Ivory Coast. I have four sisters and a brother, I am the second youngest. My parents are always calling me, they want to know how everything is going, what I do during the day… They are my biggest fans”, he revealed.