18 April 2016
The response of fans and players alike to substitute Simone Padoin’s excellently taken late goal against Palermo in Sunday’s 4-0 victory at Juventus Stadium should tell you the majority of what you need to know about the Bianconeri’s number 20.
The rest the down to earth, hard-working and disarmingly humble Simone will fill in himself. “It was a wonderful feeling and I was really struck by the fantastic reaction of my team-mates and the noise made by the home fans,” the midfielder began in today’s media meeting with the Sky cameras.
“It’s great to be held in such high regard and to get that level of affection from the people around you. The fact that the supporters cheer my name and respect me for what I give to the team makes it all worthwhile.”
With that in mind, it was fitting that Padoin - one of eight ever-presents in the Juventus squad - should score in front of the fans that hold him so dear in one of the final home games of the season, a perfect reward for the midfielder’s unrelenting enthusiasm and commitment to the cause.
“I always look to do my bit for the team whether that means playing at full-back, centre midfield or on the wing. You have to be smart to realise that as a member of the squad, it is your duty to do as much as you can for the guys around you.
"It gives me a real boost knowing that my versatility and contributions where possible have been appreciated by our two coaches in this run.”
The all-rounder’s strike was not only a moment appreciated by those in the Juventus dugout and the entirety of 40,000 in attendance yesterday afternoon, but it was also one that confirmed a victory that takes his team to within touching distance of making history. For Simone, all that remains is to reach out and seize it.
“There’s no denying that a fifth title would be an extraordinary achievement. We know that history is right there within touching distance and all we have to do now is reach out and grasp it. This is an incredible club whose only desire is to win and I’m still grateful for the opportunity presented to me four years ago.
“No one would deny that we are in an excellent position at the moment but we still haven’t won anything yet. We have to make sure that we bring home the six/seven points still required to wrap up the trophy, beginning with our two massive matches this week against Lazio and Fiorentina.”
No comment on the possibility of lifting the Scudetto trophy would be complete however without a word on the saddening first-half injury to Claudio Marchisio at the weekend nor that sustained by fellow five-season stalwart Martin Caceres earlier in the campaign.
For Padoin, the absences of his two well-respected and highly regarded colleagues should provide the league leaders with extra motivation to go out and round off an unforgettable season in the coming decisive matches against Lazio and Fiorentina in their honour.
He concluded, “If and when we do finish the job, we will dedicate the trophies to Marchisio and Caceres. It is always a great shame when this kind of thing happens, not least to a guy as lovely as Claudio.
“From the bench, we didn’t realise how serious the injury was until he stayed down and signaled for the medical staff. It is a big blow: now we have that added motivation to go out and win the Scudetto for him and Martin.”
