Francesco Pio Esposito is “pleased to have contributed” by scoring Italy’s winning goal against Luxembourg and already feels like a seasoned player compared to his teammates in the recent match.
The Italian squad for the friendly against Luxembourg featured a significantly altered lineup, with eight players making their debut in the starting XI and a total of 15 players earning their first senior cap by the end of the game.
However, the sole goalscorer for Italy was the Inter striker, who was already making his eighth senior appearance for the national team.
Esposito, an experienced player at 21
“I am happy to have helped the team secure the result. Even though it was a friendly, we treated it with great seriousness and gave our utmost effort,” Pio Esposito told RAI Sport.
The Inter Milan center-forward boasts an impressive record for the national team at the senior level, having scored four goals in eight senior appearances.
“When I step onto the field, I strive to give my all, not only by scoring goals but also by trying to be of service to my teammates,” he stated.
“It was a wonderful experience to be alongside my teammates as they made their debuts. I was in their position just a few months ago, and it was great to witness their emotions leading up to and during their entry onto the pitch.”
Although this was a highly experimental Italian team, the outcomes of these friendly matches still impact the FIFA rankings, and Italy needs all the support it can get.
“We carry significant responsibility because we represent Italy. While it’s true that we are young, I believe we are capable players and need to prove ourselves one game at a time.”
