Linetty: “Amazing to win the derby – it’s just what we needed”

Karol Linetty could barely hide his delight as he spoke to the press following Samp’s 1-0 win over Genoa in the Derby della Lanterna on Saturday night.

“We’re pleased to have got the win,” said the Pole, who served up the crucial assist for Manolo Gabbiadini’s late goal. “We had two shots, one on target and one off target, but that was enough. Amazing scenes. I won the ball back, headed for goal and then I found Gabbia and he stuck it in.”

Linetty was full of praise for his team-mates after the crucial victory.

“We did well and really fought,” he said. “It was a tough derby this time and there were lots of fouls. Genoa like playing possession football, but we cut down the space and gave them very few chances. We hope this is the turning point, though the derby is a game unto itself. We needed the three points and that’s what we’ve got.”

The Pole also insisted he was happy to play in whichever position Claudio Ranieri sees fit, after starting the derby on the left side of midfield last night.

“The only thing that matters is that I play – that’s what makes me happy,” he said. “It’s true that you feel the knocks less when you win, and you recover more quickly too. Especially after the derby.”