Edin Dzeko is not surprised by his extraordinary start at Inter and assures substitutes must always have the attitude he showed against Sassuolo.
The hosts were dominating the first half and had controversy over a potential Samir Handanovic red card, but the game changed when Dzeko came off the bench as part of a quadruple substitution.
Within 30 seconds, the Bosnian had equalised, then he earned the winning penalty, which was converted by Lautaro Martinez.
“We came on to make the difference, because that’s what the coach asks of us and we have many talented players who can’t all be on the pitch at the same time,” Dzeko told Sky Sport Italia.
“When you come on, you must give more than 100 per cent, that’s what we did and it paid off in the end.”
Inter have scored at least two goals in each of their last 12 Serie A games, a new club record after 11 in 1943, yet fired blanks in two Champions League matches. What made the difference?
“There’s no explanation, it’s easier to judge from the sofa in front of a television. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet scored in the Champions League, but this is a fundamental Serie A victory.”
Dzeko is the first new Inter signing since Ronaldo in 1997-98 to score at least six goals in the opening seven Serie A games. Did he expect to start this well?
“I expected to start strong, because I know my qualities and that is why Inter signed me. I always give my maximum, whether I start or come off the bench.”