Gianluca Zambrotta : India is a football nation that wants to grow

Gianluca Zambrotta, considered one of the greatest full-backs of his time, started his playing career at Italian club Calcio Como in 1994, but the biggest breakthrough of his career came when he signed up for Juventus in 1999. Zambrotta went on to win two consecutive Serie A titles in 2002 and 2003 out of his seven seasons at the club, before playing at Barcelona and later at AC Milan, where he won his third Serie A. The Italian then joined Swiss club Chiasso where he finally retired in 2014 and picked up the mantle as the coach and manager up until recently. He played for the Italian national side in 98 matches, which included three World Cups, three European Championships, and the Sydney Olympics.

Speaking to Goal.com, the 2006 World Cup winner with Italy explained the decision behind coming to India and choosing Delhi Dynamos.

I believe that this is the best team in India. It's the team of the capital, which India represents. It was the obvious choice,”

Zambrotta

“I really like to get to know other places. Two years in Barcelona as a player, I enjoyed the experience of playing abroad a lot. I'm a person who really likes to experience other cultures and other mentalities, especially on a footballing level. Doing this helps you grow as a person.

“In my opinion, India is a football nation that wants to grow a lot. It wants to become big in the next few years. So, which country could have been better for me to come to in order to grow together? I believe that this is the best team in India. It's the team of the capital, which India represents. It was the obvious choice,” Zambrotta said.

Delhi Dynamos made it to the last four in the 2015 edition, and the Italian said that his goal this year is to win the title.

“My goal is the same as the president, the staff and players is to try to do as much as possible to win the league this year and then, next year, we'll see. I'm someone who lives very much in the present. I don't think too much about the future. The main objective is to win and to make history with this club.

"We want to win but success also means helping the players grow and, with my technical skills and those of my staff, I should be able to teach them a good brand of football that should lead to success,” the 39-year-old told Goal.com

When asked whether his Delhi side will bank on their defensive solidity like most Italian teams, Zambrotta said that his team will run and fight as 11 players on the field.

“It's been said many times that Italy has great defensive organisation. Also some great Spanish sides too, though, like Zidane's Real and Simeone's Atletico are well organised. But defensive organisation doesn't mean that a team only defends. All the teams must run and fight as 11 players on the field,” the 2006 World Cup winner told Goal.com

Also, read: Does the AIFF's 3-tier plan actually signal a turn for the better in Indian football?