Napoli, Spinazzola snaps: “Enough of this”, Gattuso recalls him | OneFootball

The decisive goal against Pisa, top-level performances in the Champions League, and increasingly consistent performance: Leonardo Spinazzola has reclaimed Napoli and, most importantly, the National Team jersey.

Napoli, Spinazzola loses his smile (for a moment): “Enough with this story.” And Gattuso calls him back to the Azzurri

The left-back returns to Gennaro Gattuso's squad two years and four months after the last time, replacing the injured Matteo Politano, his friend and teammate in Napoli's blue.

A well-deserved recognition, coming just hours after a press conference where he was the protagonist of a small outburst.

“Enough with this story”: Spinazzola's annoyance

After the Napoli–Genoa match, Spinazzola was pressed once again on a topic that has followed him for four years: the comparison with his performance during Euro 2021, when he was one of the best in the National Team before the terrible Achilles tendon injury.

When asked if he felt he had returned to those levels, the player responded firmly: “Enough with this story. You always ask me the same thing.”

Then, in a more reflective tone, he added: “If you really want to know, I am much better than before. I was more instinctive before, now I make more intelligent and conscious choices.”

On the possible return to the Azzurri, Spinazzola elegantly sidestepped: “These are decisions for the coach to make. I just have to keep working like this, and everything will come as a consequence.”

Words that, ironically, preceded Gattuso's official call-up by just a few hours.

From rebirth with Napoli to return to the Azzurri

After difficult years, Spinazzola has become a key player again. This season he has made seven appearances, scored one goal, and provided an assist, showing physical brilliance and tactical maturity. Antonio Conte praised his versatility, using him both on the left flank and more centrally during the build-up phase.

“The coach asks me to provide width when there is space, but also to come inside to create superiority. It's a continuous growth, even from a football intelligence standpoint.”

A rebirth certified by numbers and on the field, now crowned by the call-up to the National Team.

Gattuso's choices for the World Cup qualifiers

Coach Gennaro Gattuso has decided to rely on Spinazzola's quality and experience for the double engagement in October:

Estonia–Italy, Saturday, October 11 (8:45 PM, Tallinn)

Italy–Israel, Tuesday, October 14 (8:45 PM, Udine, “Friuli” stadium)

Both matches will be broadcast live on Rai 1. For Spinazzola, it is a long-awaited return, but above all a well-deserved one: a reward for the work, consistency, and strength of someone who never stopped believing he could become great again.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.