Di Lorenzo: ‘Nobody expected Napoli to do this well’ | OneFootball

Giovanni Di Lorenzo insists ‘nobody expected’ Napoli to be top of the Serie A table after 12 rounds, especially after they emerged unbeaten away to Juventus, Milan and now Inter.

The Partenopei had taken the lead at San Siro through Scott McTominay on a corner kick routine, but it was cancelled out by the Hakan Calhanoglu scorcher that bent back Alex Meret’s glove.

Both teams had the opportunities to win, Inter hitting the woodwork twice with Federico Dimarco and above all a Calhanoglu penalty, while Giovanni Simeone ballooned over from 12 yards with the last kick of the game.

It proved enough for a 1-1 draw, which means Napoli go into the break for international duty as the sole Serie A leaders, albeit just one point in front of the group including Inter, Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina.

The top six are all crammed into the space of two points, with Juventus just behind that cluster.

Di Lorenzo hails Napoli revival

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 10: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli is challenged by Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Nobody expected us to be in first place at this stage, but we are happy and must continue working to improve,” Di Lorenzo told DAZN.

They lost the opening game of the Serie A season away to Verona, then went on a remarkable run of victories interrupted only by a 0-0 draw away to Juventus and last week’s surprise 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta.

“We’re pleased to have finished this difficult run of fixtures ahead of everyone else. We’ve improved in terms of maturity, as after that painful home defeat, we put in a great performance this evening,” continued Di Lorenzo.

“We emerged unbeaten away to Milan, Inter and Juventus. That is a sign of a strong squad and we are not even halfway through the season yet.”

Napoli won the Scudetto in 2023, then had a painful crash back down to earth with 10th place and a succession of coaches coming through the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Di Lorenzo famously asked to leave the club, as he felt disrespected in the role of captain, but was convinced to remain by Antonio Conte and President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

“It was not a good period personally, but what I tried to do was work my way through it. I am pleased with this start to the season, both for Napoli and Italy. Naturally, when the team is in good form, it becomes easier for the individual to emerge too.”