Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski admits that it will be emotional for him to face his old club Napoli after the experience he had there.
The Polish international spoke to InterTV, via FCInterNews, after yesterday’s Champions League win over Arsenal. He looked ahead to Sunday’s top of the table Serie A match.
Zielinski joined Inter during the summer transfer window.
The 30-year-old came in on a free transfer after his contract with Napoli expired.
Zielinski was already a played with a strongly established reputation in Serie A when he joined Inter.
The Pole had impressed with the likes of Udinese and Empoli earlier in his career. But it was really his time at Napoli where he made his mark.
Zielinski played under the likes of Maurizio Sarri, Carlo Ancelotti, and Gennaro Gattuso in Naples.
But it was perhaps under Luciano Spalletti that Zielinski truly found his best form.
The Pole was a key player as Napoli won the Serie A title for the first time in over three decades.
Piotr Zielinski: “Eight Incredible Years At Napoli, Now I’m At Inter To Win”
Last season was a turbulent one for Napoli.
And it was amid that backdrop that Zielinski decided to try a new challenge. He accepted the offer from Inter rather than Napoli’s offer of a new contract.
But that certainly does not mean that the 30-year-old doesn’t retain a strong connection to the team that he spent the better part of a decade representing.
For the first time this season, Zielinski will face his former club this weekend. Inter and Napoli are second and first in the Serie A table, and Sunday’s match could be pivotal in the title race.
“It will certainly be a great match,” said Zielinski.
“It will be two great teams facing each other.”
“I had eight incredible years in Naples,” Zielinski said. “But now I play for Inter, and I hope we can bring home a win that would be very important for our season.”
“I will give everything for this shirt,” the Pole made clear.
Meanwhile, Zielinski also gave his thoughts on yesterday’s win over Arsenal. “We certainly started the first 20-25 minutes well,” he said.
“We dominated it. And we could have scored a goal or two.”
“Then Arsenal started to take control of the pitch, and dominated at times.”
“But we defended well and brought home a big win,” Zielinski said.
“We were up against a team that could win this competition. We’re satisfied.”
Zielinski made clear that “We want to win as many matches as possible and then end up in the top eight.”