The DAZN presenter, who launches her new program tomorrow, explains: “I’m a privileged fan, I’ve filled my house with books about soccer. My husband Karius? We talk about soccer, but I don’t ask him for advice…”
Tomorrow, a new adventure will begin as the host of DAZN’s Sunday program, and she is excited. Diletta Leotta talks about herself, revealing her dream of expanding her family, seeing her husband Karius play in Serie A, and returning to the Sanremo Festival.
Diletta, how does it feel to be considered the queen of Italian soccer?
“Perhaps I would call myself the ‘Queen of Hearts’ since I talk about that infinite love that we call soccer in Italy. I consider myself a privileged fan because I am lucky enough to experience Serie A up close. And despite the passing of the years, I still get excited.”
Serie A started with record ratings on DAZN: what news will you tell us about the debut of the new Sunday show?
“The average viewership on DAZN has been the highest in recent seasons, and we are very excited: this Sunday marks the debut of our new program ”Fuoriclasse – powered by Haier TV,” which I will be hosting throughout this season with tactical analysis, live commentary, and moments of pure entertainment. The first episode will be live from the pre-match of Inter-Sassuolo, exclusively on DAZN, where I will be joined by two true champions: Bobo Vieri and Massimo Ambrosini. Davide Bernardi will also be with us in the studio, while Andrea Stramaccioni will be connected from San Siro to bring us the atmosphere of the matches in real time. I can also reveal that we will be talking about the Rome derby: a match that promises strong emotions and certainly a few surprises. And that’s not all: throughout the season, other Italian and international football legends will take turns, as well as guests from the world of entertainment, for a unique and exciting story. It will be a fresh, direct, and engaging format, designed for fans of all ages. And thanks to DAZN’s Fan Zone, the audience will be able to interact in real time, comment, ask questions, and share opinions: a new way to experience Serie A, even from your smartphone!
Ten years ago, would you ever have thought you would get this far?
“Honestly, no. The goal was to host a program like the one starting tomorrow and also have a family, but those were two dreams. Life always surprises you if you believe in it and never give up.“
How much more difficult is it for women to work in soccer than for men?
”DAZN has always valued the role of women, both in front of and behind the cameras. We are a family in which talent is given a voice, regardless of gender. By nature, I rejoice in the successes of others and I am pro-women. We should support each other: we would live in a perfect world, but a little competition is normal.“
Diletta aside, who is the best?
”Many journalists and presenters are good and talented. But please don’t make me rank them.“
Has being a beautiful woman helped you?
”Image is important, but preparation and the ability to report on events are more important. I have always focused on my love for my work and my professionalism. Alongside the civil and criminal law books I used at university (she has a law degree, ed.), I now have books on soccer at home. I studied and I think I have convinced both in form and substance.”
What compliments make you feel embarrassed?
“I like the ones from my colleagues at DAZN, when they tell me that working with me is easy because I create a family atmosphere. Vieri says he enjoys talking about soccer with me, and Stramaccioni is happy to talk about Serie A together.”
Do you and your husband Karius have an agreement that “When we’re together, we don’t talk about soccer”?
“We haven’t signed a ‘prenuptial’ agreement (laughs, ed.). We both live in the world of soccer, and when we’re together, it’s inevitable that we talk about it, but we have many other topics: from our daughter Aria to the thousand passions we share, our friends, and the trips we want to take.”
Do you ask your husband for explanations about soccer?
“He’s a living encyclopedia of the sport, but I don’t ask him: my colleagues’ explanations are enough for me.”
How difficult is it to be with a soccer player who plays abroad, for Schalke 04 in Germany?
“It’s not difficult. It’s challenging because of the distance, and sometimes it takes patience. Love unites us.“
Do you hope that sooner or later an Italian team will need a goalkeeper whose name starts with the letter K?
”It would be wonderful to see a goalkeeper in Italy whose name starts with K.”
What is your relationship with social media?
“It’s a powerful tool. On the one hand, I enjoy it because it’s a direct line to my followers. On the other hand, I know that it also exposes me to criticism. I focus on constructive comments and remain true to myself.”
Are you considering a future in cinema?
“I had cameo roles in Morelli’s films Ogni maledetto fantacalcio and 7 ore per farti innamorare, but I also acted in Siani’s Chi ha incastrato Babbo Natale and lent my voice to a character in the animated film Pupazzi alla Riscossa. I admit, cinema fascinates me.“
Diletta and music: is there a singer in you?
”In the shower, I feel like Beyoncé (laughs, ed.), but singing is not one of my talents. I haven’t studied it and I’m not a soprano, even though I like music and have been talking about it on Radio 105 for ten years.“
If you were offered to return to Sanremo…
”I would say yes without thinking twice because the Festival stage stays with you forever. If the opportunity arose, I would present myself differently than I did in 2020.”
Mother of Aria, wife of Karius, face of DAZN, and radio host: how do you manage to do everything in 24 hours?
“I don’t know myself, but somehow I manage. Aria is the priority, everything else revolves around her.”
What is your secret dream?
“One? I have many. I’d like to host a program abroad, grow together with my family, take Aria to the stadium and hear her say, ‘Mom, I’m proud of you.’ Oh, I forgot, I also dream of becoming president of a soccer team.”
Could your family grow… numerically?
“I come from a very large family and I know the benefits of having siblings. So why not?”
When will you take Aria to the stadium?
“This year we went to Gelsenkirchen to see my husband play in Schalke’s first home game. She had a great time.“
What did the first three days of the championship tell us?
”Napoli, who started the new season as reigning champions, have confirmed their status with the arrival of important players such as De Bruyne and Hojlund. Juve are surprising everyone by scoring a lot, and Tudor is doing a great job. I reported on the Derby d’Italia from the sidelines, and as always, it was a unique experience: I was really impressed by Yildiz and his incredible goal. I’m also very curious about the new projects at Milan and Roma. Inter, on the other hand, may seem a little ‘behind,’ but the squad remains super competitive, and they’ve managed to improve it compared to last year. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that this new Serie A season will be full of twists and turns and exciting.“
Is Napoli your favorite to win the Scudetto?
”As of today, I think so, given their start, but we’re only at the beginning and I expect many twists and turns.”
Was Napoli’s transfer campaign the best in Serie A?
“Probably yes, but they’re not the only team that has done well: I’m thinking of Como, for example, who continue to surprise everyone.”
What does a star player like De Bruyne bring to Napoli and Serie A?
“We’re talking about a fantastic player who has won many titles as a key player in his career. He’s a leader on and off the pitch who I believe will give a lot to Conte’s Napoli.”
Did you expect Juventus to be 9 points clear after 3 games and capable of beating Inter?
“The Derby d’Italia was a spectacle in every sense, and as with all big matches, it’s always difficult to say who will win. Certainly, what we’ve seen in these first three games is a different Juventus compared to last season: even more aware and hungry.”
How important was Tudor’s confirmation for this flying start?
“I think Igor Tudor is the real added value for Juventus because he feels the black and white colors on him. He told us this very well in the wonderful interview with Ciro Ferrara (‘Juventus, a part of me’), which you can find exclusively on DAZN.”
David, Vlahovic, and Openda: do you like Juve’s attack?
“Yes, it’s an international-level attack that allows Tudor to choose from many different solutions.”
Yildiz and Adzic, 39 years old between them: is Juventus’ future young?
“Absolutely yes, Juventus has two gems in its ranks. I’ve already had the pleasure of interviewing them, along with Bobo and Luca Toni, at the end of the Derby. Their qualities are clear to everyone, but beyond that, they struck me as two serious guys who know where they want to go.”
Did you expect Inter to struggle so much at the start of the season?
“As with any new project, I think it takes a little time. We are only at the beginning of the championship and I think it will take more time to see the real Inter. However, I am convinced that this year the Nerazzurri can play a leading role in the championship and beyond. We’ll talk about it at length tomorrow evening, during the first episode of the new Sunday program “Fuoriclasse,” which will air on DAZN before the Inter vs. Sassuolo match, with lots of live coverage from the pitch and the studio.”
Is it so difficult to take over from Inzaghi?
“Of course, it’s not easy, given what Simone Inzaghi has represented for Inter over the last four years. Now a new chapter has begun, and we must move forward.”
Would Lookman and Kone have made things easier for Chivu?
“We’re talking about two great players, but I think the club has done well anyway. Some interesting young players have arrived, such as Pio Esposito, Bonny, and Sucic, but also an experienced and highly valued player like Akanji.“
Allegri is back to winning ways without conceding goals and with a narrow margin. How far can Milan go? Just qualifying for the Champions League or…
”The Rossoneri’s goal is definitely to return to the Champions League, then who knows… Certainly, not playing in the cups this season can be an advantage from this point of view.“
What was your first thought when you saw Allegri’s first striptease, when he took off his jacket in anger against Bologna?
”That we had missed it so much! Welcome back, Max!“
Are you impressed by the impact of 40-year-old Modric in Serie A?
”You can’t talk about surprise for a former Ballon d’Or winner like him. It’s a pleasure to be able to admire him in Serie A.”
What role can Roma and Lazio play in the league?
“I’m very curious about both, considering that they have entrusted themselves to two masters like Gasperini and Sarri. And then, tomorrow (exclusively on DAZN) there’s the derby, which we know can shift ambitions and morale.”
Who could be the surprise team of the championship?
“I really like Fabregas’ Como: I think they can improve on last season’s results. And then, I’m really excited about this ‘glamorous football’ with lots of VIPs involved.”
Is Vardy, 38, joining Cremonese after winning the Premier League a beautiful “football fairy tale”?
“Absolutely, but I would call it more of a ‘rock fairy tale’, given his strong personality and the way he lives the games on the pitch. Serie A was missing a profile like that.”
Who can win the tournament’s top scorer title?
“Mateo Retegui’s departure opens up many possible scenarios. Marcus Thuram and Dusan Vlahovic have certainly started very strongly, but we must also keep an eye on Moise Kean…“
Who will be the young revelation of the tournament?
”It’s hard not to say Nico Paz today: he really is an incredible talent.”
