Giovanni Di Lorenzo admits it feels ‘strange’ that he could be the Napoli captain lifting the Serie A trophy after Diego Armando Maradona. ‘We are all trying to savour every moment of a wonderful journey.’
The Partenopei snatched a last-gasp victory away to Juventus this evening with the Giacomo Raspadori volley at the back post, sending it through Wojciech Szczesny’s legs.
“We celebrated in the locker room, because winning here is never easy and it takes us a step closer to our dream,” Di Lorenzo told DAZN.
It also came just days after the Champions League quarter-final exit to Milan, 2-1 on aggregate and with complaints about the refereeing over both legs.
“That was a game where we wanted to go through in an important competition, we played on level terms and it was disappointing to go out like that. We went out with our heads held high after two strong performances against a good team. We then dived straight into preparing for this match, because that is what the great teams do, and we proved ourselves tonight.”
The goal arrived at the 93rd minute, created by three substitutes, as Piotr Zielinski and Eljif Elmas set up Raspadori’s volley.
“All season the substitutes have made a big difference to our matches, as with five changes available, everyone gives an incredible contribution.
“The victory takes us closer to our objective, we started this journey a long time ago and we are going to savour it.”
If Napoli beat Salernitana on Saturday, they will then put their feet up the next day and watch to see if Lazio drop points against Inter on Sunday.
They perhaps won’t mind being able to celebrate the Scudetto without setting foot on the pitch, especially if it is achieved with six rounds to spare.
The city is primed and ready, having won the Serie A title only twice before in 1987 and 1990.
“It does feel strange, that I could be the next captain to lift the trophy after the great Maradona. We are all trying to savour every moment of a wonderful journey.”