Giovanni Simeone thanks Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti for giving him ‘the freedom to be what I am’ after his first Champions League brace in the 3-0 win over Rangers.
Cholito scored his fourth goal in his first four Champions League games, following in the footsteps of his father Diego, who bagged two braces in his debut two games for Atletico Madrid.
This was their fifth straight victory in the tournament, 12 in a row in all competitions, but first place in the group is not yet guaranteed.
It will be as long as they don’t lose away to Liverpool by four clear goals.
“It’s really special for me! I always try to give my all, but this is a wonderful gift,” Simeone told Sky Sport Italia while cradling his UEFA Man of the Match award.
This was the first time that Simeone was used in a trident from the start with Giacomo Raspadori and Matteo Politano.
“Spalletti has given me the freedom to be what I am, to attack the spaces. Raspadori is a great striker, we help each other to create spaces, so it really helps to have someone like him by my side.
“As I said when I first arrived, I will always be available to do whatever the team needs. I will make the most of every minute the coach gives me on the pitch.”
There was some bad news for the Simeone family this evening, as Atletico Madrid drew 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen, including a Yannick Carrasco penalty saved in stoppages.
That means Diego Simeone’s Atleti are out of the Champions League in the group stage.
“I saw that, it’s disappointing.”