Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo scored his fourth goal of the season on Sunday for Inter Milan, although the Italian Serie A side went down to a 4-2 defeat at Napoli.
Nagatomo, who also played in midfield during his full shift, scored in first-half injury time to trim the hosts' lead to 3-2. Making his first start in four games, Nagatomo showed no signs of being slowed by the pain in his left leg that had been bothering him.
"My body was able to move really well," he said. "When I was in one-on-ones, I didn't think I would lose."
On the subject of Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda joining AC Milan next month and playing in the same city, Nagatomo said he hoped it was just the start of bigger things for his compatriots in Italy.
"This is something which once was beyond comprehension in the history of Japanese soccer," Nagatomo said. "I hope we can turn this into a much bigger thing."