Gabbiadini: “Great for our league position and the fans”

Manolo Gabbiadini has been here before. Back in 2014 he scored the only goal of the game in front of the Sud to clinch a 1-0 derby triumph. Fast forward five years and he was at it again, only this time it was even better – because he only had a fraction of second to line up his shot and still managed to apply a classy finish.

“It’s a great result for us, for our league position and the fans especially,” the striker told the media after the final whistle. “It was an important game in every sense.”

The three points see Doria leap out of the relegation zone and Gabbiadini insists the only way is up from here.

“We’re not looking at what the other teams do; we’re just focusing on ourselves. We’re confident we’ll climb the table.

“We got off to a bad start this year and we’re not used to being in this position, but we want to put a run of results together now. Ranieri has instilled calm. He’s very experienced and that helps.

“We had to battle hard to win tonight. We were good and a bit lucky too.

“I didn’t expect to start because I didn’t train much this week but of course I would have liked to. Whoever plays does a good job and today I came off the bench and scored so it’s all good.”

Asked who he wanted to dedicate the win to, Gabbia replied: “It was a team win. No one is more or less deserving than anyone else. My message to the fans is to stick with us and let’s keep going.”