Francesco Pio Esposito has stayed grounded ahead of Como vs Inter Milan, insisting he has never courted the hype surrounding him during an impressive debut season at the club.
According to the Corriere della Sera, the young Italian striker pushed back on suggestions he has been overhyped by the media, while also addressing the challenge of filling in for injured captain Lautaro Martinez.
“There is exaggeration, both positive and negative,” he said, with quotes via L’Interista.
“I’m a 20-year-old who came up from Serie B, nobody gave me anything, and I’m doing well in my first season at Inter, but I haven’t done enough yet to justify certain comparisons. I have no fault in that though. I never said I was a phenomenon or that I’m worth 100 million. I’m just someone who gives everything every day.”
Como Vs Inter – Pio Esposito On Lautaro, The Hype & Scudetto Belief
On what he would take from Lautaro’s game, Esposito was admiring. “He is very complete, but what moves you is his aggression, his passion, his hunger, even in training he plays as if it were a World Cup final.”
The Castellammare di Stabia native also credited his upbringing for giving him the mental toughness to thrive at this level.
“The famous cazzimma has brought me here, from Serie B to the Champions League. It takes a lot of courage to not let yourself down and show that you belong.”
On the Scudetto, Esposito was bullish following the win over Roma.
“We needed a convincing performance like that, beyond just the victory. There is optimism and we believe in it completely.”
