Zapata: “We showed great character to get massive win”

Duvan Zapata made it seven Serie A goals for the season when he pounced on Nicola Murru’s cross to score an 80th-minute winner for Sampdoria at Roma on Sunday night. And the Colombian striker could barely hide his delight as he spoke to the media following the final whistle.

“This is the first time I’ve scored in this stadium,” he said. “I’ve had a few fitness issues over the past few weeks, but I’m pleased to be back among the goals. It was a really important goal which I dedicate to my family and to the whole team because we deserved it.”

Zapata praised his team-mates for the way they dug in at the Stadio Olimpico.

“Roma had lots of chances in the second half, but we stayed in the game and managed to get the goal, so we deserved to win,” he said. “We were the better team in the first half, then they dominated the second. We showed fantastic character today. The whole side did a great job and we played as a team. It was important to win tonight, but now we need to keep doing what we’re doing.”