Pinamonti: "What a feeling to play for the first team"

APPIANO GENTILE

- This week's guest on Caffe Doppio is

Andrea Pinamonti

. The forward, 17, spoke to Inter Channel's Roberto Scarpini in a lengthy chat.

He began by revealing how he came up with his goal celebration: "It was created the day before our opening league match with the Primavera against Palermo. I was rooming with Valietti on the Friday night and he asked me how I'd celebrate if I scored. We thought about it a bit and he came up with the bow and arrow celebration. Ever since then I've been known as 'The Archer of Cles'."

"It was a whole new world to me," said Pinamonti of his move from ChievoVerona to Inter. "A new city, new team-mates and a new club. It was a big step up, partly because it was the first time I'd lived away from home, but it's something you need to do sooner or later if you want to make it as a professional. Besides my debut in Serie A, my best moment so far was winning the Primavera Coppa Italia against Juventus. It was a great achievement. We were made to work for it but we deserved it. It was fantastic playing at San Siro in front of our own fans."

The forward then gave an insight into his senior debut for the Nerazzurri. "I had already trained a few times with the first team and I called my parents as soon as I was named in the squad for the Europa League match in Israel. There were tears in my eyes - I couldn't believe it. I didn't get on in that fixture but two weeks later Pioli brought me on against Sparta Prague. I really enjoy working with the coach and he gives me a lot of advice. I thank him for giving me my first game in Serie A too, against Empoli. I'll always remember that day."

Pinamonti finished by hailing the work of Primavera coach Stefano Vecchi. "He's been massive for me because he brought me from the Allievi side into the Primavera even though that meant playing up. He believed in me and I won't forget him."