Di Lorenzo: ‘Napoli tried to score in every way possible’ | OneFootball

Giovanni Di Lorenzo said Napoli ‘tried to score in every way possible’ and the hard-fought victory over Lecce is precious. ‘These games really aren’t easy.’

This 1-0 result was a tougher battle than expected at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, decided only at the 73rd minute by captain Di Lorenzo on the rebound from a Scott McTominay header.

The right-back had also scored earlier only for it to be disallowed by VAR for an offside position.

“I was really sad about the first goal, but this game was too important for us. We tried to score in every way possible and achieved it,” Di Lorenzo told DAZN.

“These fans are our 12th man, they give us an extra boost and we’re really pleased.”

Di Lorenzo on fine form for Napoli and Italy

epa11684855 Napoli’s defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo celebrates after scoring a goal that was later disallowed during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs US Lecce at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 26 October 2024. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO

This is a prolific time for Di Lorenzo, who scored three goals in Serie A this season, plus bagged a brace for Italy in the Nations League against Israel.

It allows the leaders to consolidate their place at the top of the table, especially ahead of tomorrow’s showdown between Inter and Juventus, while they in turn face Milan midweek.

“The ambition is to always play for the victory. We’ve done that in every match so far. It’s true that on paper these are ‘easy’ games, but they really aren’t, because the teams near the bottom are still well-organised and determined,” added Di Lorenzo.

“We have to focus on our own game and what we want to do, that is how the coach prepares things.”

The Partenopei have now won eight of their last nine competitive matches, interrupted only by a 0-0 draw away to Juventus on September 21.

Incredibly, they have conceded only two goals in that spell, scoring 21.

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa also spoke to DAZN about the match against Lecce and reveals how Antonio Conte motivated the squad at half-time.

“It is always difficult against a team that defends this deep, so we had to be patient and keep going. At half-time, Conte told us to keep playing our game, but he didn’t shout. He really trusts his team, told us to keep it going and it worked, because we won.”