Rave reviews for Italiano from Tiago Djaló: “His energy is exactly what this team needs”
Beşiktaş continue their preparations for the new season in their Slovakia training camp, and one of the names drawing attention is Portuguese centre-back Tiago Djaló. The defender spoke in detail about last year’s difficulties, his expectations for the upcoming campaign, and, above all, the impact of new head coach Vincenzo Italiano on the team’s mentality and style of play.
Djaló underlined that the camp in Slovakia has been a productive and eye‑opening experience for the squad.
“Our camp is going well; it’s been a valuable experience for all of us,” he explained. “The coach is exposing us to new concepts every day. There are many surprising details in the way he approaches the game, but I’m ready for that. I played in Italy, and culturally I feel close to this kind of coaching. I saw similar things in Portugal and France as well. We’re learning good things, the right things, and as a group we’re clearly progressing.”
“Last season was tough, but it was also a year of learning”
Looking back at the previous campaign, the Portuguese defender did not hide that he went through testing spells.
“There were difficult periods, yes,” he admitted. “There were times when I felt I could contribute more to the team, and I knew I had the ability to do so. But in football there are always factors you can’t control. The only thing truly under my control from day one was my professionalism. I tried to show that every single day, to help the team however I could. I can honestly say I had some hard moments, but they are behind me now; they belong to last season. For me it was a year of learning, a season of adaptation. I believe this year will be much better.”
The centre-back emphasised that the frustration of last season has turned into motivation. According to him, those difficulties built mental strength.
“When you don’t play as much as you want or when results don’t come, you either collapse or you grow,” he said. “I chose to grow. I spent a lot of time analysing my game, working on my body, my positioning, my decision-making. That work is now helping me adapt faster to the new coach’s demands.”
“Learning from Vincenzo Italiano is a great experience”
Djaló reserved particularly enthusiastic praise for Vincenzo Italiano, describing the Italian coach as a high‑energy figure whose presence can lift the entire club.
“Our coach’s energy level is very high,” he said. “That’s exactly the kind of coach this team needs. I’m convinced his personality and intensity will do us a lot of good. Learning from him is a great experience. I hope we can achieve great things together, but it will happen step by step. We’re not looking for shortcuts; we know success is a process. Still, I really believe there are good things ahead of us.”
The defender highlighted that Italiano is not only energetic but also extremely detail‑oriented.
“He stops training sessions to correct two‑ or three‑metre movements, to adjust our body shape, to fix pressing triggers,” Djaló revealed. “For a defender, that kind of detail can be the difference between conceding and keeping a clean sheet. He wants us to think faster and play with more intensity, both with and without the ball.”
“I’m familiar with this style of football”
Having already experienced Italian and French football, Djaló feels comfortable with Italiano’s ideas.
“Every coach has his own identity,” he noted. “But as I’ve said before, I’m familiar with the style our coach wants. I played in Italy, and in France I also worked under coaches with a similar approach. That helps me adapt more quickly. I’m learning a lot from him. I’m confident that with our coach and this new approach, the team will keep improving. Just like last season, I believe we won’t concede many goals this year – and with more collective understanding, we can be even more solid.”
He also pointed out that Italiano’s philosophy demands responsibility from every player on the pitch.
“In this system, defenders are not just there to clear the ball,” Djaló explained. “We have to build from the back, stay brave under pressure, and read the game constantly. Midfielders and forwards also have very clear tasks without the ball. If one player switches off, the whole structure can suffer. That’s why training is intense: we are trying to make these movements automatic.”
“Right now our focus is only on progressing in Europe”
When asked about the title race in the domestic league, Djaló deliberately avoided big declarations.
“Talking about the league title now is both early and difficult,” he said. “We need to progress step by step. We’ll approach that goal gradually, improving both in possession and out of possession. At the moment, our immediate challenge is the upcoming Europa League play‑off tie. That’s a very important game waiting for us in just a few days. We’ll think about the league when it actually starts. For now, our objective and our full focus is to get through that round in Europe. I’m convinced this season will be very different to the last one – also in the league, but especially in terms of our mentality.”
The Portuguese defender stressed that a strong start in Europe can set the tone for the entire season.
“If we qualify, the momentum, the confidence, the atmosphere in the dressing room – everything changes,” he said. “European nights give you a special drive. That’s why we are treating these matches like finals.”
“I believe we will be ready for this tie”
Having spent several seasons in the Champions League, Djaló knows well how valuable European competitions are for a player’s development and reputation.
“Not playing in European cups is never a good feeling for a footballer, at least for me,” he admitted. “I’ve played many seasons in the Champions League. It’s an incredible competition; it gives you a new vision of the game. If you have a strong team, it’s a tournament you genuinely believe you can win. Right now we have an important Europa League match in front of us. We have the chance to get through this round and continue our European journey. From today onwards we must focus on what we can do better, identify where we need to improve and work on those aspects. I believe that in a few days, when the game comes, we will be ready for this tie.”
He also insisted that European games demand a different level of concentration.
“In Europe, mistakes are punished immediately,” he said. “One moment of inattention, one poorly managed transition, and you pay for it. That’s why the coach is so insistent on discipline and compactness. We are trying to build a team that can adapt to different opponents and different atmospheres, whether we play at home or away.”
“The Turkish league is improving, but still behind Europe’s top competitions”
Djaló also evaluated the general level of the Turkish Süper Lig, underlining both its strengths and areas to improve.
“The Turkish league is developing, it’s definitely progressing,” he commented. “Players with very different backgrounds and experiences are joining the league, and that’s a positive thing. However, if we look at it from an organisational point of view, I have to say that the Turkish league is still a bit behind some of the major European leagues. The positive side is the people’s passion for football – the way they live and breathe the game. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it in my life. Over time, I think the league will become even better and move closer to Europe’s strongest competitions.”
According to the defender, the increasing quality of foreign players and coaches will accelerate that evolution.
“Very good players and very good managers have already come to this league, and more are arriving every year,” he said. “At the same time there are many talented local players. It’s a good environment to learn and to enjoy football. If the organisational aspects – scheduling, refereeing standards, infrastructure – keep improving, the league’s reputation will rise further.”
Adapting to Italiano’s tactical demands
Djaló gave more insight into how Italiano wants Beşiktaş to play.
“The coach wants us to be aggressive without the ball and brave with it,” he explained. “We press high when possible, we try to keep the team compact, and we always look to play forward with purpose. Training sessions are intense because we replicate these game scenarios over and over. As defenders we must be comfortable defending large spaces at times, but also smart enough to manage the risks.”
He acknowledged that such a style can be physically demanding but believes the squad is embracing it.
“Of course, playing this way requires top fitness levels,” he added. “That’s why the work we do in camp is crucial. We’re running a lot, but we’re also working with the ball constantly. The idea is to reach a point where the intensity becomes natural, not something we have to force.”
Personal goals and leadership in the back line
On a personal level, Djaló set clear objectives for the new season.
“I want to be a leader in defence,” he stated. “I aim to play as many matches as possible, stay injury‑free and help the team keep clean sheets. Last season I didn’t always show my best version, partly because of circumstances, partly because I was still adapting. This year I want to be one of the pillars of the team.”
He also sees communication as an important part of his role.
“In modern football, talking is as important as tackling,” he said. “You have to constantly guide your teammates, organise the line, push the team up or drop them deeper. I’m working on that every day. The coach encourages us to communicate more, to take responsibility and not hide on the pitch.”
Competition for places and internal pressure
With new arrivals and a deeper squad, competition for starting places in defence has increased, but Djaló views that as a positive factor.
“Competition within the team is healthy,” he insisted. “When you know there’s someone behind you ready to take your place, you remain focused. It pushes you to train better and to not relax. At the same time, we support each other. We all want the team to win, no matter who plays.”
He believes this internal pressure will ultimately raise Beşiktaş’s level.
“Strong teams are built on strong squads, not just strong starting elevens,” he remarked. “Over a long season, with league games, cups and European matches, you need everyone. If we keep this competitive spirit in training, it will reflect in our performances on match days.”
National team ambitions and the impact of club form
Djaló also touched on his performances with the Portuguese national team and how his club form can influence his international prospects.
“Representing my country is always a huge honour,” he said. “I know that to stay in the national team picture, I must perform consistently at my club. That’s why this season is so important for me. Playing under a coach like Italiano can help me grow tactically, and that will also be noticed at national team level.”
He underlined that high‑pressure matches at Beşiktaş prepare him well for international football.
“When you play in big atmospheres, in front of demanding supporters, you get used to handling pressure,” he noted. “That’s very similar to what you experience with the national team. So, the better I do here, the more chances I’ll have to keep wearing my country’s shirt.”
Looking ahead: step by step, with confidence
Summarising his outlook for the coming months, Tiago Djaló placed emphasis on patience, work ethic and belief.
“We don’t want to promise anything we can’t guarantee,” he concluded. “But what I can say is that we are working very hard. We have a coach with a clear idea, a group that’s eager to learn and improve, and a club that expects success. If we move forward step by step, starting with the Europa League play‑off, and keep this mentality throughout the season, we can make it a very different and much more positive year than the last one.”
For Djaló, the mix of Italiano’s intensity, the team’s hunger and the supporters’ passion could be the formula that drives Beşiktaş to a new level in the upcoming season.