Gianluca, how much did you want those three points at Udine? You looked very determined on the field.
“After seeing Lecce win at Verona, it became necessary for us to win at Udine.”

What do you have against Udinese? In the championship, you got six points between the first round and second against them.
“We don’t have anything against Udinese, obviously. In the championship, we got the better of them both times, but in the Italian Cup they passed into the next round at our expense.”

With the arrival of Nakata, the team has changed pace. How much has his entry influenced things?
“We needed somebody like him. We needed somebody with good footwork in the midfield. Let’s hope he can also stay for next year.”

Today many players were absent due to injury, will their re-entry make for difficult choices?
“No, let them all get better. The more of us there are, the better!”

How did you manage to hypnotize Jorgensen when the penalty was redone?
“I have already stopped a penalty from Jorgensen, also at dusk. I thought that at the second attempt he could change the angle, but instead he shot at the same area, and I managed to get to the ball.”

Another great save, another of your innumerable heroics: what is your secret?
“Passion, enthusiasm, the fact that I always give my best, but also the fact that I’ve never been seriously injured. I still have good muscle structure which allows me to jump well and keep the important reflexes. But I believe that my best quality is the desire, the motivation.”

Tomorrow Samp plays Inter: is your heart torn in two? Who will you root for?
“I hope it’s a good game, and may the team with the best game win. I have ties to both teams, and I’d like both to win. But, since we have a chance to catch up with Sampdoria, if I really have to pick, I would prefer Inter to win tomorrow.”

Your next two games will be at home. What do you expect to see?
“I would bet that we make three points with Modena and lose with Juve.”