Gianluca Gaetano has lifted the lid on his emotions after breaking his Serie A duck wearing the shirt of his boyhood club.
Having developed in the Napoli academy, the 21-year-old winger spent the last two seasons on loan at Cremonese before becoming a member of the first-team squad this term. He came off the bench to score Napoli's third in the 3-1 win over Inter last weekend.
What was it like to score your first Serie A goal for Napoli at the Stadio Maradona?
"Just amazing. It's something you dream of as a child and the crowning moment of a fantastic season after all the sacrifices I've made. Napoli has been my life. I've grown up here and the joy I feel now is impossible to put into words.”
Everyone gathered around you at the end of the game against Inter.
“Yes, and I want to thank my team-mates and the club. They all know about the sacrifices I've made, all the training sessions I put 110% into, working my up through the academy. Everyone celebrated with me and it was a magnificent evening. We've fought in every game and the Scudetto besides being amazing is also thoroughly deserved.”
You still have the target of beating 91 points to aim for.
"Yes, we still have plenty of incentives. It's always exciting and motivating to play for Napoli. We showed that with our performance against Inter. We want to end on a high.
“The key is our unity. We've stuck together on and off the pitch and all helped each other – whether we played more or less. We've been compact and that's been our greatest strength.”
Luciano Spalletti said you're a great player and people will soon realise.
“It's hugely gratifying to hear the boss talk like that about me. Winning the league with Napoli is something historic. I hope to carry on like this and become an important player for the club. I'd like to stay at Napoli and win more Scudetti!”
