Emanuele Lulli admits it is ‘a dream come true’ to score his first goal for Roma, while Santiago Castro admits to inspiration from Ezequiel Lavezzi for his unusual finish against Genoa.
The Giallorossi made seven changes from the side that started against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, some of them forced by injuries and suspensions, others by fatigue.
They still emerged with a 2-0 victory against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico, thanks to two players who had never found the net for this club before.
Lulli and Castro break Roma duck
Teenage youth team player Lulli has been making a name for himself this season and scored his maiden Serie A goal, then the 19-year-old was named Man of the Match.
“I am so happy, it’s a dream come true, but I have to keep working. I thank the coach and my teammates, now we’ve got to focus on the next games,” Lulli told Sky Sport Italia.
“The squad puts me at my ease, they all encourage me, tell me to go and show what I can do. Dribbling and one-on-one situations are my strengths, so it’s what I must try to do, with no fear and facing every game with my full focus.”
It was also the first goal in the Roma jersey for Castro, who arrived over the summer from Bologna, after coming close on several previous occasions.
“I am very happy, it was a very tough game today, as Genoa play man for man,” Castro told Sky Sport Italia.
“There were quite a few lads today who haven’t played that much, so it gives them all more confidence and helps the fitness levels too. We are all first choice players, there are no reserves, we’re all part of the same squad.”
Castro recently made his senior Argentina debut and was asked if he knew that Napoli legend Pocho Lavezzi had scored a very similar dinked finish against Milan in 2010.
“I do remember it, I spoke to Pocho the other day when we were at Leo Messi’s final game. I am glad to have scored my first goal, as I hit the woodwork several times this season, including again today.”