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«Nothing but Azzurro!»

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&lt;p&gt;Giovanni Di Lorenzo was born 29 years ago in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, in the province of Lucca, but as is the case for so many players who have recently moved down to the base of Mount Vesuvio, he is now an adopted Neopolitan, thanks to a unique atmosphere, the fans’ affection and a strong group identity. This season, he became the Club’s leader and has named his first child `Azzurra`. This special moment is also coinciding with the team’s fantastic first half of the season, but not only.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Giovanni, did you ever imagine such a positive start to the first part of the campaign? You have surprised everyone: no team has ever had a twelve-point lead after 19 games. How are you, and the team, all living this moment?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I never imagined such a start to the season, what we are doing is something really special, and is just rewards for all the hard work we put in during pre-season and the summer, and continue to do now. From the first day, there was a good feeling among the players in the dressing room, with lots of youngsters wanting to show their value to the squad, especially after a strange summer where some important players left. Our confidence and belief has grown game after game, and it’s up to us now to keep it going.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What does it mean for you to wear the captain’s armband?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Being the captain is something that fills you with pride and responsibility.When the Coach told me I was really happy, but even more so with the acceptance from several teammates who possibly deserved it more than me: I’m thinking of Meret, Zielinski or even Fabián Ruiz. Receiving this support has made me happy and motivated. It’s an important and tough role, and I try to show that I’m worthy of leading this superb Club as best I can every day.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You’ve become really close to Napoli, you have even called your daughter `Azzurra`!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Yeah, I’ve always like the name, that has become very meaningful now for me and my partner. The ‘Azzurro’ colour was very present in our lives at the time of her birth: I went from Empoli to Napoli, and then I received my first call-up for Italy. Azzurra is the joy of my life, and she’s soon going to have a little sister, too. We’re over the moon...&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How much has Napoli changed you?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;I’ve matured a lot while being here, both as a player and a person. I’ve been very lucky to have woked under some great Coaches: Ancelotti, Gattuso and Spalletti, as well as play alongside some great players. I’ve taken lots from all of them and that’s made me grow, both on and off the field.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is it true that when you were young you played as a striker, and your nickname was Batigol?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Like most kids, I dreamt about scoring goals, so that’s why I started out as a striker. From there, that nickname was given to me because, modestly speaking, I always scored (laughing). Then, slowly but surely I moved towards the backline, but I can’t imagine me being anywhere else, I love it there!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;But you’ve still got goals in your locker, even now... against Salernitana, you put one away.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Yes, I was pleased with that, it’s been a long time coming! But the most important thing was the win, away at a local rival in a derby is always a difficult fixture.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When did you realise that you would become a professional footballer?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Football has always been my love, and to become a pro was always a dream. Over time, that dream became a goal to achieve, and it actually happened. I’m happy with, and loving, my journey and career, and will never stop giving my all!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You are a defender, but we often see you further forward in attack. Apart from the goal against Salernitana, you also provided the assist for the fifth against Juventus scored by Elmas...&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Yes, it’s something we work a lot on in training, alternating positions and moving around the pitch, it makes it harder for the opponents to pick us up. Over the last few years, the full-back role has changed a lot, and we now have to contribute much more in attacking phases and create more problems for who is defending against us. Football is forever evolving and the Head Coach is excellent at finding new ways and ideas to allow us to express ourselves as best we can.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And watching you play, you can see this a lot...&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our ability to control games and manage possession has developed a lot these past two years. I’d also add that we are more confident, sharper and freer on the field of play; this has grown as the results got better. We’re really happy and just need to keep it up!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Do also the supporters contribute to this chemistry?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;More than ever, the `Maradona` this year is giving a massive helping hand. You can feel the passion of the fans who back us to the hilt in every game, you can almost touch it. We can only thank them. And I’ve also realised the mood in the city depends on our result at the weekend, so this huge responsibility motivates us even more.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Not only the fans but everyone expects big things from you...&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It would be false of me to say that we don’t have a huge opportunity this season, but there’s a very long way to go and we can’t let up an inch. We just need to stay focused on our work, which is what has got us where we are at this point of the season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It’s Spezia away on Sunday. What kind of game are you expecting?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Spezia are doing well. We remember the home game well, because it was a very tough game and we only got the winner towards the end.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;(Photo LaPresse)&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

The captain of Napoli, and his team, are in a special place and there’s no intention of letting up 

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Giovanni Di Lorenzo was born 29 years ago in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, in the province of Lucca, but as is the case for so many players who have recently moved down to the base of Mount Vesuvio, he is now an adopted Neopolitan, thanks to a unique atmosphere, the fans’ affection and a strong group identity. This season, he became the Club’s leader and has named his first child `Azzurra`. This special moment is also coinciding with the team’s fantastic first half of the season, but not only.Giovanni, did you ever imagine such a positive start to the first part of the campaign? You have surprised everyone: no team has ever had a twelve-point lead after 19 games. How are you, and the team, all living this moment?I never imagined such a start to the season, what we are doing is something really special, and is just rewards for all the hard work we put in during pre-season and the summer, and continue to do now. From the first day, there was a good feeling among the players in the dressing room, with lots of youngsters wanting to show their value to the squad, especially after a strange summer where some important players left. Our confidence and belief has grown game after game, and it’s up to us now to keep it going.What does it mean for you to wear the captain’s armband?Being the captain is something that fills you with pride and responsibility.When the Coach told me I was really happy, but even more so with the acceptance from several teammates who possibly deserved it more than me: I’m thinking of Meret, Zielinski or even Fabián Ruiz. Receiving this support has made me happy and motivated. It’s an important and tough role, and I try to show that I’m worthy of leading this superb Club as best I can every day.You’ve become really close to Napoli, you have even called your daughter `Azzurra`!Yeah, I’ve always like the name, that has become very meaningful now for me and my partner. The ‘Azzurro’ colour was very present in our lives at the time of her birth: I went from Empoli to Napoli, and then I received my first call-up for Italy. Azzurra is the joy of my life, and she’s soon going to have a little sister, too. We’re over the moon...How much has Napoli changed you?I’ve matured a lot while being here, both as a player and a person. I’ve been very lucky to have woked under some great Coaches: Ancelotti, Gattuso and Spalletti, as well as play alongside some great players. I’ve taken lots from all of them and that’s made me grow, both on and off the field.Is it true that when you were young you played as a striker, and your nickname was Batigol?Like most kids, I dreamt about scoring goals, so that’s why I started out as a striker. From there, that nickname was given to me because, modestly speaking, I always scored (laughing). Then, slowly but surely I moved towards the backline, but I can’t imagine me being anywhere else, I love it there!But you’ve still got goals in your locker, even now... against Salernitana, you put one away.Yes, I was pleased with that, it’s been a long time coming! But the most important thing was the win, away at a local rival in a derby is always a difficult fixture.When did you realise that you would become a professional footballer?Football has always been my love, and to become a pro was always a dream. Over time, that dream became a goal to achieve, and it actually happened. I’m happy with, and loving, my journey and career, and will never stop giving my all!You are a defender, but we often see you further forward in attack. Apart from the goal against Salernitana, you also provided the assist for the fifth against Juventus scored by Elmas...Yes, it’s something we work a lot on in training, alternating positions and moving around the pitch, it makes it harder for the opponents to pick us up. Over the last few years, the full-back role has changed a lot, and we now have to contribute much more in attacking phases and create more problems for who is defending against us. Football is forever evolving and the Head Coach is excellent at finding new ways and ideas to allow us to express ourselves as best we can.And watching you play, you can see this a lot...Our ability to control games and manage possession has developed a lot these past two years. I’d also add that we are more confident, sharper and freer on the field of play; this has grown as the results got better. We’re really happy and just need to keep it up!Do also the supporters contribute to this chemistry?More than ever, the `Maradona` this year is giving a massive helping hand. You can feel the passion of the fans who back us to the hilt in every game, you can almost touch it. We can only thank them. And I’ve also realised the mood in the city depends on our result at the weekend, so this huge responsibility motivates us even more.Not only the fans but everyone expects big things from you...It would be false of me to say that we don’t have a huge opportunity this season, but there’s a very long way to go and we can’t let up an inch. We just need to stay focused on our work, which is what has got us where we are at this point of the season.It’s Spezia away on Sunday. What kind of game are you expecting?Spezia are doing well. We remember the home game well, because it was a very tough game and we only got the winner towards the end.(Photo LaPresse)&nbsp;

«Nothing but Azzurro!» | News

«Nothing but Azzurro!»

The captain of Napoli, and his team, are in a special place and there’s no intention of letting up

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«Nothing but Azzurro!» | News