Lorenzo Tonelli admitted Sampdoria had been “caught up in our desire to win” a “very special” game for the former Napoli defender.
This winter, the 30-year-old moved from the San Paolo to Sampdoria and in his second game after the transfer, he faced his old teammates at the Marassi.
Sampdoria managed to pull back and equalise after going down 2-0, but Napoli eventually won the game 4-2.
Lorenzo Tonelli admitted Sampdoria had been “caught up in our desire to win” a “very special” game for the former Napoli defender.
This winter, the 30-year-old moved from the San Paolo to Sampdoria and in his second game after the transfer, he faced his old teammates at the Marassi.
Sampdoria managed to pull back and equalise after going down 2-0, but Napoli eventually won the game 4-2.
Tonelli, who is in his second stint with Samp, revealed it had been an emotional moment for him, to play against his “friends” from Naples.
“We gave the first the first ten minutes away, then we changed our shape and found the right distances,” Tonelli told reporters in the mixed zone. “We showed great quality in our play. At the end, we were caught up in our desire to win the game and we rushed our play.
“When you give away chances to a strong team like Napoli, you will be punished.
“It was very special and an exciting game. I played against my friends. I gave my best, because I think that’s an obligation for a football player, to respect the shirt.”
The new defender insisted the Blucerchiati can take positives from the game against the Partenopei and claimed they will stay up with similar performances in the future.
“If we play like we did during the middle part of the game, I don’t think we have to worry,” Tonelli added. “The table shouldn’t worry us. We have to learn how to play well from the first to the last minute and not make the ball weigh too much.”