Napoli forward Giovane has revealed that he was surprised to learn he would replace Rasmus Hojlund in the win over AC Milan.
Napoli certainly had a turbulent build-up to the game against Milan as they lost Hojlund just hours before kick-off to a stomach bug. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku, David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Amir Rrahmani and Giovanni Di Lorenzo were already known as being absent for the game.
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Giovane arrived as a winger but was used as a makeshift striker, though Matteo Politano would be the one to steal the headlines as he got the winner just over 10 minutes from time with a volley at the far post. The game would end 1-0, as Napoli jumped above Milan into second.
‘A great team like Milan’
Speaking after the full-time whistle, the Brazilian forward shed a bit of light on how the build-up to the game went for him, with his words relayed by our colleagues at Football Italia.
“When I arrived at the camp this morning, I couldn’t see Hojlund, because he wasn’t well. Everyone started telling me I ought to get ready, because I might have to play,” he said.
“I am a young guy, I know that I need to improve and learn, and this is a role I have played only a few times. I am happy it went well, I really needed a performance like this against a great team like Milan.
“I had only played there at youth level, but I was ready to help the team. The coach told me to do the counter-movements in the second half, and it did go better.
“I am rather reserved and don’t really like going out much, Juan Jesus tells me I am a weird Brazilian. What I’ve seen of the city is beautiful, it reminds me of Brazil, so I hope to see more of it.”
Signed in January for 20M. Conte asked and the club delivered after they had injuries. Milan got Fullkrug on a free loan, 6 months after Allegri asked for a no 9. That is the difference and why Napoli is ahead.
Napoli generated almost €200m from the sale of Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia alone, meaning they had enough money to revamp the squad.
But, we sold only Reijnders and all hell was let loose.
That there is the difference.
Remember, they signed Giovane after squandering almost 30m on Lucca and gave up on him barely 6 months later. But at Milan we are advised not to give up on a player. Imagine spending 40m on Nkunku and after the failure some fans still want us to keep him.
Yes, I know we have a youth project, but right now, we need instant success with top and proven players.
Our transfer has to change.
*Our transfer strategy has to change.