Cesena's Luca Ceccarelli has revealed his pride at debuting in Serie A with his hometown club – and warned Davide Santon that he won't give up his first team place without a fight.
“Playing in Serie A is a dream after a 20-year absence, for me it's even more satisfying because I started in Serie C,” the 28-year-old told ESPN'S Total Italian Football.
Cesena's Luca Ceccarelli has revealed his pride at debuting in Serie A with his hometown club – and warned Davide Santon that he won't give up his first team place without a fight.
“Playing in Serie A is a dream after a 20-year absence, for me it's even more satisfying because I started in Serie C,” the 28-year-old told ESPN'S Total Italian Football.
“Also I was born in Cesena, so that makes me even prouder. When we stepped on to the pitch for the first time this season against Roma I saw all these star players and I said to myself ‘this is it, hold your head up high and give it your best'.”
Ceccarelli and his Cesena teammates are fighting for survival in Serie A.
“We have some very good players but our strength is our togetherness, so if we all stick together and give 100 per cent we can stay up.
“I wasn't very consistent for a few years but I've got better and now I can say that I am an important player for Cesena.
“The worst moment was losing the derby against Bologna at home, the fans were really excited about that game and so were we.”
Ceccarelli has scored once and provided four assists in 27 appearances for the Cavallucci Marini this term, but his playing time has been limited since Italian international Santon arrived at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi in January, on loan from Inter.
“Santon is a young player with tons of potential. He has to earn his place in the first team though, because everyone wants to play.”