BEST FOOT FORWARD

LORENZO PANI had it all planned out. If he managed to score a try in Cardiff, he would reach for the trademark ‘Siuuu!’ celebration of his footballing idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

- MARK PALMER

Almost seven years before Italy beat Wales for the second time in as many attempts at the Principality Stadium, the then Real Madrid striker had netted twice there in a 4-1 Champions League final win over Juventus.

As a fervent Juventino, that had been a painful experience for Pani, although he did then have the consolation of watching the Portuguese legend up close for three seasons in Turin.

“I’m probably a little biased but Ronaldo is well and truly the greatest of all time,” the Italy full-back says. “I have long been in awe of his mentality and his dedication. Even though those goals were against Juve, knowing that he had scored in Cardiff I told myself that if the same thing happened to me, there was only one way to celebrate.”

Six minutes into the second half against Warren Gatland’s men, Pani got on the shoulder of Monty Ioane as the wing made another of those searing bursts from deep. Taking the ball just outside the Welsh 22, the 21-year-old engaged the afterburners before stepping Josh Adams, touching down and, yes, launching into that familiar routine of the outstretched arms and bellowing voice.

“I must have done everything on instinct because I can’t really remember much about it,” he says. “The only thing I remember is receiving the ball and thinking, ‘right, I’m going to just go as fast as I can here’. When I saw Josh Adams coming across, I decided to cut back inside because that seemed the best option. Luckily I managed to score.

“As a first Six Nations, I couldn’t have expected anything better. We managed two wins and a draw (against France) that felt more like a defeat, even though we deserved to win.