Andrea Pinamonti, currently on loan from Inter to Genoa with an obligation to buy at the end of the season, discussed the Italy U-21 squad’s 6-0 win over Armenia last night to gathered reporters in the mixed area, with Italian media outlet FcInterNews noting his words.
“It’s always like that, because people from the outside don’t focus on the performance but only on the goals, obviously as striker, you can play as well as you want but if you don’t score it’s always like that. I scored today and I’m happy.”
He touched on how important it is to score after a slow start to the season.
“I felt light and superficial. I know what I’m doing and what I can give. I’ve heard criticism of me for a start that even for a club has been in trouble, I think it’s normal that anyone cannot do their best. This goal is to say that I’m there and I’m ready to return to give my contribution to my club to gain the points that are needed.”
Pinamonti revealed how special it feels to score his first goal for the Under 21 squad.
“I scored my first goal today but now I’m aiming for the second and third. For now, let’s look at that, we’ll see more later.”
He hopes that his performances with the Under 21 might convince coach Roberto Mancini to bring him with the first team to next summer’s European Championships.
“I’ve seen that they’ve scored all the strikers he’s brought in, so I think the attacking role is important. As I said I think it’s good to do well, to score as many goals as possible and then we’ll see what happens.”
Finally, Pinamonti gave his best wishes to his Genoa teammate Christian Kouame, who tore his ACL whilst on international duty with Ivory Coast.
“I send him my sincere best wishes, we spoke after the operation, I know that everything went well. We’re waiting for him.”