UNITED A STEP UP FOR MIRCO

UNITED A STEP UP FOR MIRCO

Mirco Antenucci on the differences between English and Italian football...

Mirco Antenucci says he has found the Championship a “superior” standard to what he is used to playing at in Italy as he continues to adapt to life in English football.

Antenucci was one of eight summer arrivals from the Italian leagues when he penned a two-year deal from Ternana, having spent the majority of his career to date in Serie B.

The 30-year-old has quickly taken to England’s second tier, though, and has established himself as a regular in the side with five Championship goals to his name so far this season.

"This league is superior to the Italian second division," he told Italian site Tuttomercatoweb.com.

"As a team we had some problems and the coach changed twice but when you have ten to fifteen new players and another country, it never proves easy to win. Then the level here is high.

"Leeds is an amazing place, every game there are 25-30,000 people. In Serie B it is very rare see these numbers."

Antenucci, who played with the likes of Giuseppe Bellusci and Souleymane Doukara during their time at Catania, has been aided by having a number of fellow countrymen and Italian speakers in the squad with him.

And one of those, goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, has particularly impressed the striker in the early stages of the campaign.

"I knew him less than other team-mates", said Antenucci. "He has had ​​some amazing games - so many times it has saved the result. But all the young Italians have played well."

Part of Antenucci’s transition to English football has been learning the language, something he is progressing well with and keen to embrace despite the Italian influx.

"The desire to learn the language is always there," he said.

" We go the extra mile, we try to speak in English. But when we are among ourselves, we inevitably speak Italian."

Asked about his personal targets at United, the striker added: "Do the best you can.

"I ask myself about personal goals but the team goal is more important."

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