Nicolò Fagioli describes scoring a debut Serie A goal for Juventus in the style of his hero Alessandro Del Piero. ‘I’d been waiting my whole life for this moment. It felt like time stood still.’
It was still 0-0 and a war of attrition with Lecce when Fagioli gathered from fellow youth team player Samuel Iling Junior, who had come on barely a minute earlier, and curled a stunning right-foot finish into the far top corner.
The goal was reminiscent of Alex Del Piero’s highlights in the Juventus jersey and represented the debut Serie A goal for 21-year-old Fagioli.
“It was a wonderful goal, I am so happy. I’d been waiting my whole life for this moment and to do it with the Juventus jersey was just amazing,” Fagioli told DAZN.
His celebration was a very emotional one and he seemed to burst into tears as he ran.
“I just wanted to run to the bench and celebrate with my teammates, because they gave me so much support during this period. It was my way of thanking them.
“When I took the shot, it felt like time stood still, the ball just hung in the air forever. I thought it was going to hit the post, but when I saw it bounce back in, I exploded. I had always dreamed of this moment, because I grew up supporting Juve.”
It’s fitting that Fagioli should score this particular type of goal, considering it was the trademark of his hero Del Piero.
“I always studied him when I was a kid. And when he retired, I watched Paulo Dybala in training, he scored a lot of these curlers too.”
Max Allegri said that Fagioli is suited to playing in front of the defence, but still needs to learn the right movements and positioning.
“I do like playing in front of the defence or in a two-man midfield, as I get to touch the ball more. I like to give shape to the team. I played all last season in that role and I think I can be helpful to the side there.
“The coach told me to stay in front of the defence and not wander around the pitch.”
Fagioli scored on an assist from Samuel Iling Junior, also provided two assists in the midweek 4-3 defeat to Benfica.
“The coach asks us to come on and give it that determination. It hasn’t been easy for me, I admit, but when called upon, I think I gave my all. I am happy that there were other young players on the field too.”