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| Pazzini debut delight |
Monday 30 March, 2009 |
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Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini has spoken of the joy he felt after scoring on his debut for Italy against Montenegro on Saturday night.
The 24-year-old came off the bench after 58 minutes and sealed a 2-0 victory for the Azzurri with a glorious diving header.
When asked how he felt minutes before making his debut, Pazzini replied: “A little emotional, but my teammates were there to calm me down.
“Then Lippi played the whole thing down with a wise crack. “I suggest you go and score,” he said, and I obeyed, didn't I?” Pazzini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The former Atalanta youngster was then asked if he missed his Sampdoria teammate Antonio Cassano, who was controversially left out of the Italy squad.
“Look, I have scored a lot of goals off the back of Antonio's assists at Sampdoria, but I have scored a lot on my own, too,” he said.
“Cassano called me after the game and it made me very happy,” Pazzini revealed before declaring his intention to feature for Italy against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
“I am available, but Lippi decides,” he said diplomatically. “Anyway I am sure that it will be a great game.”
Pazzini has been in excellent form since he joined Sampdoria from Fiorentina in January. He has scored eights goals in 10 appearances for the Blucerchiati in Serie A.
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