Inter Defender Andrea Ranocchia: “Overhead Kick Against Empoli The Best Goal Of My Career”

Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia feels that the spectacular overhead kick that he scored to equalize against Empoli in the Coppa Italia round of sixteen earlier this season was the best of his entire career.

Speaking in the matchday program for this evening’s Coppa Italia final against Juventus, the 34-year-old reflected on the importance of his strike to help his team reach this point.

Ranocchia can chip in with goals, but they are usually more the typical headers from corners for a central defender, rather than particularly spectacular efforts.

Against Empoli, however, the 34-year-old watched the ball all the way and found the back of the net with an incredible overhead volley.

The strike came late on in a round of sixteen match in which the Nerazzurri were trailing 2-1, and they went on to win it in extra time before seeing off Roma and AC Milan to reach the final, but they wouldn’t be here were it not for Ranocchia’s incredible goal.

The defender called the strike “The best goal of my career, for how it was scored and because it gave us the opportunity to get here.”

“After that victory we had a wonderful journey with victories against Roma and Milan, which led us to play in this final,” he went on.

“Against Juventus it will be important to pay attention and concentration to avoid mistakes as much as possible,” Ranocchia stressed.

“We know that we’re playing against a strong team,” he added, “matches against them are always difficult but we are ready to play for it.”

Ranocchia is also the only member of Inter’s squad who had also been part of the team that won the club’s last Coppa Italia trophy in 2011.

“That was my first trophy with the Nerazzurri,” he said, “I have wonderful memories of the final against Palermo.”

“There was so much emotion,” he recalled, “I shared the pitch with the Treble-winners, and the joy at the final whistle was very strong,” he added.

Ranocchia explained that “Ever since I was a child, it has always been my dream to play for a great team like Inter and wearing this shirt for years has been an honour.”