Giovanni Di Lorenzo talks about the market and the future. Through gritted teeth because his mind is only tuned in to the national team and the European Championship, but he lets something slip. There are two main concepts: 1) Conte is a great coach and his words of appreciation are a source of pride; 2) there was a discussion with the Napoli managers, but this is not the time to address the Napoli topic. He will speak in the future and show his face. As always happened. An inevitable consideration: to put out the rumors, he could have denied the hypothesis of him saying goodbye to the blue shirt, but he didn’t do it. A clue?
Di Lorenzo, after Spalletti, could live next year with another coach like Conte at Napoli. What do you think?
“They are two great coaches and they are having an incredible career which has led them to reach the national team. It is an honor to be coached by them.”
How calm are you at this moment when your name is very popular on the market?
“I’m preparing for this European Championship which is truly something beautiful. Now everything may seem normal, but I’ve made a journey starting from the bottom and reaching the second European Championship in a row is no small feat. I want to do well to put aside the difficult season I’ve experienced with Napoli”.
What differences are there between the champion blue group in 2021 and the current one?
“There are only 7-8 of us left compared to three years ago, but this group has great men inside and can achieve great results.”
There is a lot of talk about Di Lorenzo at Juventus and Napoli’s desire to keep her, but she has never expressed herself. Do you want to say something?
“It’s true, I haven’t spoken yet. A lot is being written and I could have also not come here to the conference… I can say that I spoke with the club at the end of the season and from there I came to the national team. The concentration is maximum about this competition. It’s annoying to hear people assume certain things about me, but now it’s important to do well with the national team.”
So he’s not upset or with his mind elsewhere? “Someone claims that I am sad and silent (smile, ed.). People want to spread untrue rumors to fuel cases. I am very calm and I want to face this European Championship. When the time comes to talk about Napoli, I will put my face to it as I have done throughout the season and I will not back down.”
What effect did Conte’s words, who wants you as a cornerstone of his Napoli, have on you?
“I’m happy with what he said because he’s a great coach. It’s nice to be respected by him and by the great coaches. It means that what I’ve done has been appreciated.”
Is the decision on his future already final or can something change?
“I spoke with the club before coming here and when the time comes I will talk about Napoli. Now I’m focused on the European Championship and my mind is here.”
Who made the best impression on you during these days of retreat?
“Scamacca is strong, he has found consistency this season and is giving us a great hand. Among the new Calafiori he impressed me after the great championship played with Bologna”.
The last two seasons have been very different for her. How do you explain it?
“Football moves fast and you always have to prove something. The year was difficult for me and for Napoli: we didn’t reconfirm the level of the previous year and the results were disappointing. My goal is to do well here to erase the my last period at the club and get back to my level.”
After two weeks of retreat, what do you feel like saying?
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“The group is united and healthy, there is no one who wants to prevail over the other. This can take us far. I know well that the results on the pitch count and not the words, but this is a good basis for doing well.”
