Di Lorenzo: ‘Sad not to have many Napoli fans here for Supercoppa final’

Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo underlined how his side ‘have to concentrate on what happens on the pitch’ as they prepare for the Supercoppa Italiana final with Inter.

The Partenopei booked their spot in Monday evening’s final after securing a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the semi-final, an important result after the team’s difficulties over the last few months. Victory in the final is worth €8m, with the runners-up receiving around €5m.

Napoli are in a state of flux and president Aurelio De Laurentiis has worked to try and reinforce Walter Mazzarri’s squad, bringing in new players like Hamed Junior Traore, Cyril Ngonge and Pasquale Mazzocchi.

Speaking in a press conference via TMW, Di Lorenzo first discussed the high number of Inter fans expected at the Supercoppa final.

“I think we have to concentrate on what happens on the pitch and not off it. It’s sad not to have many Napoli fans, because the match is played here, but they will certainly follow us from home and we will try to win this trophy, which is important for us, for the club, for all the fans.”

He touched on the importance of the final against the Nerazzurri.

“It’s an important trophy, we’re here to play for it based on what we did last season. Being able to win it could give us even more enthusiasm and self-esteem to face the second half of the season. The team is focused on tomorrow’s match, we’ll put all our energy into play.”

The Partenopei captain was asked if the team would change tactics against Inter.

“I think that, beyond formation, it matters how we interpret it. On paper it can be seen as a more defensive formation, then in practice it leads us to have many players in the attacking phase. We are certainly facing a great team, with a pair of forwards that are really good.

“We will have to be good in defence, but the defensive aspect involves the whole team. We will have to be good in the passive phase at limiting all their strengths, then once we have recovered the ball put our qualities into play. We are a strong team.”

Di Lorenzo was asked if it was advantage that Inter are considered favourites.

“I think that in a competition final it’s wrong to talk about favourites. Surely two very great teams will face each other, who are here because of what they did last season. The values of the season will be reset to zero.

“Inter are doing very well, they have great players and I’m confident. I’m sure we’ll be ready, even though we saw a great match against Lazio, but we’ll do our best to bring home the trophy.”

He spoke about recent conversations with Victor Osimhen and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who are both away in the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Yes, we have the group chat where we talk and wish each other good luck. We heard from them, they are rooting for us, and we will play for them too since they won’t be here.”

Finally, Di Lorenzo discussed how the Napoli squad have welcomed the new signings.

“One immediately tries to get them to settle in, two new boys have arrived plus Mazzocchi who arrived a while ago.

“We are talking as much as possible to try to get them to settle in as best as possible. For my part, and for all the teammates, there is the want to get them in as soon as possible.”