Venezia of Italy striker, Akor Adam has come out with details of what the Venice-based team’s new coach, Davide Nicola said, which helped him net a winning goal against SSC Napoli of Saturday.
Sports247 reports that, against all permutations, the Serie A’s bottom-placed side, with six straight defeats at the start of their first season back in the top-flight, stunned the former champions and it was Akor’s lone goal that made all the difference.
The former Montpellier of France and Sevilla of Spain hitman has now disclosed that his goal and his team’s win were both made possible by soothing words from Venezia’s recently signed coach, who was equally thrilled with winning his very first game with the squad.
While also harping on the gaffer’s technical input during the terse encounter, Benue State-born Akor disclosed further that he was personally motivated by the gaffer’s pre-match speech, which spurred him to give extra effort during Saturday’s fixture in Venice.
Akor disclosed that the basic instruction Nicola gave the players was for them to play together as a united squad, with joint efforts from all of them in quick transition from defensive play into attack formations that caught their opponents off guard.
With the import of his goal still radiating across the city, as it helped Venezia pick their first Serie A victory since returning to the top flight at the end of last season in the lower cadre Serie B, Akor also acknowledged the role played by their fans.
He recalled how their continuous cheers and support in the stands kept him going, even after he hit target in the 49th minute, which was just enough to help them knick a much-desired win and their first three points since returning to the Italian top flight.
Akor disclosed gleefully, “Our fans are truly very important. They have suffered alongside us, and we need their energy. We will give our all in every match, for them too (and for the new gaffer).
“He asked us to work on the intensity of our play and gave us clear instructions; focusing on collective work in the defensive phase and during transitions to help us move into the attacking phase.”
Sports247 reports that Akor is now thinking of making more marks under the new coach, as he aims to ensure they build on the turning point that came on Saturday and continue climbing in Italy’s high-profile Serie A.
