Stefano Okaka will “forever be grateful” to Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”2″>Sampdoria Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic for his Italy debut against Albania.
Stefano Okaka will “forever be grateful” to Sampdoria Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic for his Italy debut against Albania.
The forward found the net 13 minutes into his senior Azzurri debut and did so in his ‘home’ stadium, albeit full of Albania fans.
“It was a little strange, as when we stepped into the stadium we expected to see lots of blue and Italy flags! It was a lovely day to celebrate football and a sign that Genoa has integrated well,” he told Rai Sport.
Okaka’s header from a corner took a huge deflection off an Albanian player, but he is definitely taking the credit.
“The ball would’ve gone in anyway, certainly!”
Okaka had emerged on the calcio scene very early and then appeared to vanish, but has been reborn at Sampdoria.
“Mihajlovic was fundamental for me, as from the first day he treated me like a son. He changed me and relaunched me in the top football world, for which I will forever be grateful.
“At 16 I made my Serie A debut, so by the time I was 20 people said I was already old. Thanks to Mihajlovic I am now here celebrating a goal for Italy.
“If I wasn’t hungry, then I might’ve stopped playing four or five years ago, because going from Roma to Serie B was a big drop and could really dent a young player’s confidence.”
Antonio Conte complained this week that young Italian players had lost the will to work hard and sacrifice themselves.
“Perhaps it’s true, but it is also not easy for young players to make their mark. Above all psychologically and in terms of character, it’s not easy to face the top teams.”