Zukanovic: “Happy to have provided a spark, now let’s climb the table”

Ervin Zukanovic spoke of his happiness after scoring a last-gasp free-kick to secure the first point of Vincenzo Montella’s Sampdoria reign at Lazio on Monday night.

“I’m happy, we didn’t deserve to lose,” said Zukanovic. “We were coming off the back of a tough spell but we showed desire, character and organisation out there tonight. We rediscovered the spirit we needed. We need to keep this way of playing and thinking up now.”

Some had pointed to defensive frailties after Samp’s recent defeats, but there was none of that against Lazio: “We were very compact and very focused. There was good communication between us at the back tonight – we kept talking to each other and moved well. There was definitely a spark missing in our last few games, but we found that again tonight.

“Despite their poor form Lazio are a great side and we showed we’re a proper team too. I’m delighted to score. My only regret is that Matri beat me in the air to get his goal, but he did well to steal a march on me and make me lose my balance,” said Zukanovic.