Roberto De Zerbi has described Kaoru Mitoma’s first goal in Sunday’s 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth as the best in his coaching career.
The Japan international finished off a brilliant move involving fellow sub Ansu Fati and Mahmoud Dahoud 15 seconds after coming on at half-time.
“The first goal of Mitoma is the best goal in my career because it showed the character, the attitude, the quality of the players,” he said.
MA+ members & STH only - Log-in required
Log-in required
“The attitude to want to score, and the strong character. He [Fati] played well, but he is not in his best yet, but he played well.”
The head coach also praised goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen who recovered from a mistake which led to Bournemouth’s goal and made some crucial saves in the second half.
He added, “I am very pleased for him, as he is a great goalkeeper... he will become one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. We have spoken about that situation because we made mistakes in that position. We could choose different solutions, and it is not a new tactic.”