The Nerazzurri striker Pio Esposito spoke from the training camp in Perth, Australia, where Chivu‘s team will face Milan and Juventus in friendlies. The young talent touched on several topics, from summer preparation to personal and team ambitions.
Regarding the Australian tour, Esposito expressed his satisfaction: “We are preparing well for this new season. We are working hard, we have traveled a lot between Hong Kong and Perth. Now we have these two friendlies with Milan and Juventus: two important tests to challenge ourselves and get more minutes in our legs.”
In his second season with the Nerazzurri after 48 matches and 10 goals overall, the striker does not want to settle: “Last year we went beyond the expectations at the start of the year because I was coming from Serie B: I am very happy with how my first season at Inter went. The goal is to never stop and never settle. So this year I aim to improve not only in terms of statistics but as a footballer overall.”
On the derby friendly against Milan, Esposito highlighted the appeal of the challenge: “It always has a different effect. Since I was little I have played so many derbies and it’s a wonderful thing. It’s a match that will be played seriously regardless.”
The team’s objectives are clear and ambitious. “I agree. We must not hide: we are a strong team that will fight to win again this year,” declared the young striker, in line with what several teammates have said.
With Thuram and Lautaro arriving late to the training camp, Esposito has been a protagonist in these early outings: “I haven’t thought about these things. It’s a period of preparation, we are working at our best to find our form. For the league we will all be available and I haven’t made that kind of reasoning.”
Words of great affection for Stankovic, a youth sector teammate now in the first team: “It’s wonderful to have him with us. Ale joined Inter when he was 11, I had already been there for a couple of years, it was fantastic to meet again. This summer I always wrote to him to ask if he would come back, because it’s a beautiful thing to have a friendship that can continue like this in the club we dreamed of as kids. I saw him doing very well but I already knew him as a player. Now everyone else is seeing it too.”
On the contract renewal, awaited by fans, Esposito appeared calm: “I am very relaxed. I feel great here at Inter. It’s a situation that my agent is handling with the club without any problem.”
Finally, regarding expectations with the National Team, the young striker responded concretely: “My goal is to always try to prove myself on the pitch. First with my club, then hopefully to have the chance to prove myself with the National Team as well because I care a lot about the Azzurri shirt.”
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