Napoli, Beukema: Hard work shows, love defending high, laughs with De Bruyne | OneFootball

After Napoli’s clear 4-0 victory over Sorrento in a friendly match, defender Sam Beukema spoke to Sky Sport’s microphones, giving an overview of the work done so far and sharing feelings and anecdotes related to the new era for the Azzurri.

Napoli, Beukema: “You can see the work. I love defending high. Great understanding and lots of laughs with De Bruyne”

Defensive solidity as a priority “For us defenders,” Beukema began, “it’s fundamental not to concede goals. During the week we work hard on this aspect and the results are starting to show. Winning two matches in a row was important, but what matters is that we’re becoming fresher and more ready. The fruits of our labor are gradually emerging.”

High defending and pressing: the trademark The Dutch center-back emphasized his preference for offensive pressing: “I really like defending high and pressing. Winning the ball back as high up the pitch as possible increases the chances of scoring. I was already doing this at Bologna, so it feels natural to me. Being able to train against strikers like Lukaku and Lucca is a privilege: they’re among the best in the league and push you to always give your best.”

Understanding with De Bruyne and the human value in the locker room The arrival of Kevin De Bruyne has brought enthusiasm and quality, both on and off the pitch: “He’s an added value from every point of view. He’s a humble guy, and we share the Dutch language. We play a lot of jokes on each other, and that helps create a great atmosphere in the locker room. We’re really happy to have him with us.”

The support of family Beukema also wanted to dedicate a thought to his loved ones: “My father came from the Netherlands to watch me play, and he does so for every match. My family is very happy with this experience. My father told me that Napoli is a very strong team, and he truly believes it.”

With an aggressive mentality, a high defensive line, and a group that’s increasingly close-knit, this year’s Napoli aims to combine entertainment and solidity, with Beukema ready to be one of the pillars of the Azzurri’s defense.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.