Pisa may have left the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona empty-handed after a 3-2 defeat to Napoli on Monday night, but Nigerian midfielder Emmanuel Akinsanmiro once again underlined his growing influence in Serie A.
The 20-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes, delivered a composed display in central midfield as Pisa pushed the champions all the way in a five-goal thriller.
Read Also: Colombia Drop Squad List As Flying Eagles, Los Cafeteros in Last Friendlies Ahead FIFA U20 World Cup Weekend Kick Off
Akinsanmiro recorded one shot on target, another off target, and completed 30 of his 34 attempted passes—an impressive 88% accuracy rate. He also connected with two of his three long passes, highlighting his ability to dictate play and switch tempo.
For Akinsanmiro, it marked a personal milestone: back-to-back Serie A starts and full 90-minute outings for the first time since moving to Italy in 2023.
After making his debut last month in the 1-1 draw against Atalanta, the former Beyond Limits Academy and Remo Stars talent endured a spell on the bench but has now forced his way into Pisa’s starting XI with steady, assured performances.
Despite Pisa’s struggles—sitting 19th with only one point from four matches—Akinsanmiro has emerged as one of their brightest sparks.
His consistency is all the more notable considering last season he spent time on loan at Sampdoria in Serie B.
On the night, Napoli showed their quality with goals from Billy Gilmour, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Lorenzo Lucca, while Pisa responded through M’Bala Nzola’s penalty and a late strike from Brazilian teenager Lorran.
The result ensured Antonio Conte’s side maintained a perfect record, sitting top with 12 points from four games.
For Pisa, the battle for survival continues. For Akinsanmiro, however, these early signs suggest he is on the verge of a breakthrough season—one that could confirm him as a long-term Serie A prospect.
Pisa’s loan deal with Inter Milan includes an option to buy, but with a buy-back clause in place, the Nerazzurri will be watching closely as the Nigerian midfielder continues to grow
