Eljif Elmas opened up about the party atmosphere at Napoli, the importance of the win over Juventus and a running joke he has with teammate Giacomo Raspadori.
The Partenopei are on the cusp of winning their first Scudetto in over three decades, thanks to the incredible work of Luciano Spalletti and his players. The team have looked borderline unstoppable this season, even if a few slips saw them crash out of the Champions League and Coppa Italia.
Elmas has been a regular part of Spalletti’s Napoli squad, seeing 1576 minutes of action across 41 appearances. In that time, he’s scored six goals and provided three assists.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Elmas first looked back at Napoli’s win over Juventus.
“We came on at the right time, but those who were playing before us also played a good game. It’s a good thing that the three of us who came in secured the goal. It was nice to celebrate and it’s normal because we know how difficult and important it is to win in Turin against Juventus.”
He was asked if he was having an extraordinary season.
“No, let’s say a normal season. For me it’s a normal season.”
The North Macedonian forward touched on how it felt to see so many fans waiting for the team at the airport.
“No, I didn’t expect that. I come from Fenerbahce, a similar fan base, but I didn’t expect 10,000 people, it’s incredible. We are happy. And now I don’t dare to imagine when we’ll win the Scudetto, superstition aside. I’m very pleased that the city is so coloured in white and blue.”
He touched on what Spalletti asks of him.
“He tells us that if we keep this game we will also keep the 20-point lead in the table. We have to play until the end, we know how we got here and until the end we will have to show that we are a great team.
“And there will also be a chance for those who play less to show that they are strong and up to being here. We see them in training, we already know them, and we know they are strong.”
Elmas was asked about his assist for Raspadori’s goal against Juventus.
“I was just waiting for Zielinski to pass the ball. When he passed it to me, I saw Osimhen go forward and then I put it long for Jack.
“I always tell Jack before games: tonight I’ll give you an assist, then you’ll also give me €500. With Juve I did that, but he still hasn’t given it to me!”
He touched on the upcoming Scudetto celebrations.
“Of course, we talk about it, we all wait for it. It’s an incredible thing because it doesn’t happen every year, so we know what to do. It’s normal that we talk about it among ourselves because even we sometimes can’t believe what we are doing.
“We come from countries like Kosovo, Macedonia, Slovakia, Nigeria and Cameroon. As a child I never thought I would win a Scudetto, so for us it is an emotion that will remain forever. You never know when we will win another Scudetto, so we will have to enjoy this one to the fullest.”
The North Macedonian commented on how he’ll celebrate.
“I don’t know. I just wait for this moment and then we’ll see. I’ll definitely give Chucky Lozano and Mathias Olivera two or three slaps! They are very nice.”
Finally, Elmas discussed the preparation for Napoli’s next game against Salernitana.
“It’s not easy because Salernitana certainly won’t want us to celebrate the Scudetto. Salerno is here, half an hour from Naples, so it will be difficult. But we must do ours and not think that if we win, we will be champions of Italy.
“Whatever way we have to win this game, whether it’s with good play or without good play, the important thing is that we win.”