Di Lorenzo: ‘I dedicated my goal to the people who love me’

Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo broke the deadlock with a fine goal in front of the home supporters, using his celebration to dispel summer transfer rumors and reaffirm his commitment to the club. Speaking to DAZN after the match, Di Lorenzo reflected on a tumultuous off-season and expressed his gratitude to the Napoli faithful.

“It was a peculiar summer,” Di Lorenzo admitted. “There was a bit of ‘negativity’ from the entire environment, but towards me, I felt a lot of affection and love. That’s precisely why they wouldn’t have accepted me leaving. It’s a sentiment that’s absolutely reciprocated. And it’s to these people, who care for me deeply, that I dedicate this goal scored in front of the curve.”

The captain was keen to clarify his use of the term ‘negativity’, explaining, “I want to put quotation marks around ‘negativity’ because it’s understandable that the fanbase might struggle to digest transfer rumors, especially if they concern the captain.”

Di Lorenzo emphasized that the focus should now be solely on the pitch, stating, “Now everything is okay, and we must think exclusively about the field.”

The defender also praised new manager Antonio Conte, saying, “The coach was immediately honest with me, and I greatly appreciated his words. We’ve only been working together for a short time. We don’t know how this championship will end, but with him on the bench, we will grow tremendously as individuals and as a team. Having him as a coach pushes us to give our maximum in every match.”