Lazio’s Danilo Cataldi: “We Were Calm Before Supercoppa Final Against Juventus”

Lazio midfielder Danilo Cataldi remembered the Biancocelesti’s Supercoppa Italiana win against Juventus, which occurred a year ago today, in an interview on the Biancocelesti’s official website earlier today.

First, he commented on what he remembers about the preparations for that match.

There was a lot of tranquillity in the squad. I remember in particular the training we did in Ryad in the days before the day of the final, there was great serenity during the preparation for the match, within the team there was a lot of awareness of our means.

We knew that we deserved that opportunity and that we had the chance to win the Supercoppa. Usually before a final there is always a bit of tension, but I remember a very calm and aware squad.

The 26-year-old Italian midfielder, who is a product of the Roman club’s youth system, then discussed his free kick goal against the Bianconeri in the dying minutes of that match.

It was a good chance to score. I didn’t know at that moment what the time was, I only knew that there was little time left. I asked Milinkovic-Savic if he could let me have that free kick, he wanted to take it too.

I felt I could strike it well and when the ball went up I knew it was going to go into the net. I had already gone to celebrate because I knew that the trajectory would be lowered just enough to enter the goal.

Finally, Cataldi spoke about the importance of the win and the trophy for the team, as well as the fans.

We picked up two consecutive victories in the space of a few days against Juventus, we had already beaten the Bianconeri 3-1 in the league. On the eve of the Supercoppa many people told us that it would be different to face Juve in a single game where a trophy was at stake.

However, we too had already played several finals in recent years and we knew that we could have our say, and the serenity in the locker room also came from this awareness. We knew we could play a great game no matter who we were up against.

After winning the Supercoppa there was a lot of celebration in the dressing room, we were disappointed that we couldn’t celebrate the victory at the Olimpico as we did with the last trophies we won.

That was the only regret, from this point of view we experienced a different final in Ryad, but when we arrived at 5 am at Fiumicino it seemed like we were at the Olimpico, there were so many people. The following week, in Formello, there were even more fans, these are the best surprises after winning a cup away from home.

Cataldi, who is contracted to the Biancocelesti until 2024, has made 10 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 267 minutes.

Tags Biancocelesti Cataldi Danilo Cataldi Italy Juventus Lazio Serie A Supercoppa Italiana