Giovanni Di Lorenzo discussed Napoli’s dominant start to the season and Italy’s plans during the World Cup break.
The 29-year-old Italian full back has been a core part of Luciano Spalletti’s squad in the Campania capital this season, playing almost every available minute in all 15 Serie A games. Di Lorenzo has scored one goal and provided three assists in 21 games, being an important leader on and off the pitch for Napoli.
Speaking in a press conference in Coverciano, Di Lorenzo first discussed Napoli’s electric start to the 2022-23 season.
“We are bringing beautiful football to Italy and Europe, we must continue like this. For Italian football to have a club like ours, but also like the others that participate in international competitions, is a beautiful thing.
“We hope it will be a good omen for the whole Italian movement.”
He commented on if this Napoli squad have the same magic that Italy had during Euro 2020.
“This atmosphere was not lost after the European Championship. At Napoli we are doing something incredible, something unexpected.
“No one expected us to get off to such a good start, but through hard work and a united squad we are taking great satisfaction. But we must continue like this, the season is still long.”
The 29-year-old spoke about how it would feel to be captain for Napoli as they lift their third ever Scudetto.
“It would be a dream to win the Scudetto in Naples and to win it as captain like Maradona. But, as I said before, the season is still long.
“We have made an important path, but there are still so many matches to play. We have an important lead, but with so many matches ahead, it’s still long.”
He commented on why Spalletti picked him to be captain.
“It was Spalletti’s choice with the squad, for me it is really a pride to wear such an important captain’s armband. Every day I’m giving my all to prove myself worthy of this role.”
Di Lorenzo discussed the impact of the World Cup break on Napoli and Italy’s next steps after their failure to qualify for the tournament.
“It was certainly an intense period, with lots of matches. It can be good to take a break and then start again in January with even more desire.
“Clearly in this break we all hoped to be at the World Cup, but that’s how it went. We started again with great desire before the European Championship and now we have to do the same. Reset everything, create a new squad and a new environment.”
He reflected on why Italy failed to qualify.
“It was small moments that determined the non-qualification. If I think back to the double challenge with Switzerland, the Palermo match with Macedonia…. We all know how it went. It was a path where the details made the difference.”
Finally, Di Lorenzo commented on if Italy’s Euro 2020 win contributed to their failure to qualify.
“When you win and reach an important goal such as the European Championship you tend to lower your level of attention unconsciously, this may also have been a factor that led us not to qualify.”
Well deserved. They are definitely raising the stature of Italian Football.
Agreed, but stop winning so much so we can catch you!