The Nerazzurri like a second skin. Ten years in the youth sector with Inter have made the ties between the Beneamata and Raffaele Di Gennaro strong. The young goalkeeper born in 1993 has earned a place in the Under 21 tanks to all the saves and the amazing penaltysaves with Citadella in Serie B. One year on loan that allowed DiGe to grow further. The link with Inter remains strong as evidenced by the fact that he has watched some games even in Curva Nord, where the loudest supporters are cheering for Inter. The keeper from Saronno is told was interviewed exclusively by our partner FcInterNews.it.
We start from your first year as a professional: How did it go?
“Great! During the last two months we have strung together a series of extraordinary victories, and succeeded to stay in Serie B without having to play in the relegation round. Avoiding relegation was the goal for Cittadella to achieve and I’m delighted to have succeeded. It was an important year.”
You made a crazy turnaround: was that a turning point in your season?
“The 4-0 win in the derby in Padua gave us belief in ourselves. It was our springboard to avoid relegation.”
You have been recognized by many experts as the best goalkeeper in the Serie B…
“I will not deny that I am very pleased to hear such praise. But I’m even more pleased that all these saves are good for something. Had we been relegated I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much.”
Extravagant saves and some penalties neutralized: which inspires you more?
“I choose the penalty save against Reggina in the ninety-fifth minute. Were playing on their homeground at the Granillo and the match was coming to an end. Reject the shot from Gerardi had a double value: in addition to the penalty being save it allowed us to win. It was a head-to-head and after their defeat they were on their way to relegation. Even now when I see those pictures I get excited: the penalty save that coincided with the final whistle, the victory and all who have come to embrace me…”.
Inter in recent years has had several important goalkeepers: Who inspires you?
“Julio Cesar, he is my role model. I spent ten years in the youth sector and I’ve trained with him. I consider him my example in everything. I like his style and his way of playing, a goalkeeper with fast and quick actions, but also clever in handling the pressure and duels with the attackers, just like me.”
Cagliari and Chievo are interested in you, are you ready for another year on loan?
“Let’s see what happens, the transfer market has just begun. Certainly together with Inter will choose the best for me and my path of growth.”
Preferences?
“The important thing at my age is to play, I need seasons such as this in Citadella for more space and to show what I can do. Playing forty games in a year allows you to improve. So gladly, I would do another year as a starter.”
Your brood is showcasing many talents: you, Duncan, Biraghi, Mbaye, Garritano. All major players in Serie A and B…
“We won the Next Generation and the Scudetto. They were really beautiful and important years. We were a small family.”
Do you still keep in touch or does playing elsewhere make you lose contact a little?
“We haven’t got the same contact, but when we play against each other it’s always a pleasure to meet again. At those times we talk and give each other advice. Moreover, some of us see each other with the national team. On those occasions, it is as if no time had passed.”
Source: fcinternews.it
