Stephan El Shaarawy confessed to feeling “emotional” after scoring on his first Italy game since the World Cup play-off defeat in 2017.
The Shanghai Shenhua winger came off the bench and found the net in a 5-0 Euro 2020 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
“There was a bit of everything. It was emotional for me, very satisfying to be back on the field in an Italy jersey,” El Shaarawy told Rai Sport.
Stephan El Shaarawy confessed to feeling “emotional” after scoring on his first Italy game since the World Cup play-off defeat in 2017.
The Shanghai Shenhua winger came off the bench and found the net in a 5-0 Euro 2020 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
“There was a bit of everything. It was emotional for me, very satisfying to be back on the field in an Italy jersey,” El Shaarawy told Rai Sport.
“I feel Italy really deserved this qualification and these results, as we are all working so hard and are very pleased with how things are going.
“I was so hungry to be out there, as my last game for Italy was two years ago, the play-off that saw us fail to reach the World Cup. I needed to change the impressions from that match.”
Does the Little Pharaoh believe playing in China is damaging to his chances of playing in Euro 2020?
“I will take any positives I get from the Nazionale, whether I am just getting called up or playing, I’ll take all of it. I try to show the Coach what I can do when I am here and want to be ready when called upon, which I have always done in my career and above all for the Nazionale.
“This goal means a lot to me, because the Italy jersey is special, I respect it and always want to give my all. I just try to go out there and do my best.”