Roberto Soriano insists he’s always felt like an Italian, ahead of a possible debut for the Azzurri against Croatia or Albania.
The Sampdoria midfielder was born in Darmstadt in Germany to Italian parents, and played for Bayern Munich’s youth team at the beginning of his career.
The 23-year-old then moved to Sampdoria’s Primavera set-up in 2009, and could now be in line to make his Italy debut after being handed a first senior-team call up by CT Antonio Conte.
Roberto Soriano insists he’s always felt like an Italian, ahead of a possible debut for the Azzurri against Croatia or Albania.
The Sampdoria midfielder was born in Darmstadt in Germany to Italian parents, and played for Bayern Munich’s youth team at the beginning of his career.
The 23-year-old then moved to Sampdoria’s Primavera set-up in 2009, and could now be in line to make his Italy debut after being handed a first senior-team call up by CT Antonio Conte.
“I’m delighted to be here [at Coverciano],” Soriano told reporters in a press conference ahead of the games with Croatia and Albania.
“It’s a dream come true. I grew up in Germany, but I’ve always felt Italian, it’s a dream to be here.
“I’ll try to learn from training with my teammates.
“[Italy] winning the World Cup [in 2006, in Germany] was not a great time for me and my family. I’m happy to be here with Italy.”
After taking on Croatia in a Euro 2016 qualifier at San Siro, Italy will head to Genoa to play a friendly with Albania in aid of victims of the floods which wreaked havoc in the city last month, and Soriano says he feels a bond with the port city.
“Genoa is my home. The city feels like a part of me.
“We were deeply concerned by the storms, but now we’re here to enjoy the moment and to think about the game with Croatia.
“We tried to help our people, a few metres from us there were people who lost so much and yet stayed together.”
A fellow Genoa resident from the other side of the city, Andrea Bertolacci then revealed that an auction would be held to benefit the victims of the flood.
“We all know the situation in Genoa, and we hope Tuesday’s game is a party.
“I will attempt with [teammate Lorenzo] De Silvestri to help the city with an auction, the proceeds from which will be donated to those affected by the flood.”