Ebenezer Akinsanmiro was honored as the Man of the Match following his outstanding display against Fiorentina…
Alberto Gilardino, the head coach of Pisa, lauded Nigerian midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro for his exceptional contribution during their goalless draw with Fiorentina on Sunday, according to Soccernet.ng.
As newcomers to Serie A, Pisa entered the match at Arena Garibaldi as clear underdogs against Fiorentina.
Despite this, Pisa delivered a resilient performance, restricting Fiorentina to only two shots on target. They even came close to securing a victory, but Henrik Meister’s goal was disallowed by VAR due to an infringement.
Akinsanmiro emerged as a key figure in midfield, earning a 7.5 rating. The 20-year-old was involved in 42 touches, created two crucial passes, completed two successful dribbles, made one interception, and executed five tackles.
His efforts were recognized with the Man of the Match accolade at the final whistle.
Following the match, Gilardino, a former prolific striker in Italy, expressed his admiration for his midfield trio, highlighting Akinsanmiro’s influence.
“The midfield trio put in a tremendous effort, working tirelessly and demonstrating great skill. I didn’t need to say much in the dressing room; what matters most is securing a win,” the ex-AC Milan striker remarked.
“The team gave the supporters a performance to be proud of. Caracciolo, Touré, and especially Akinsanmiro-who was a key driving force-were outstanding throughout. Alongside our match against Bergamo, this was one of our finest displays.”
Promising Beginnings for Ebenezer Akinsanmiro in Serie A
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has made a strong impression since joining Pisa in Serie A. Across his first four league outings, he has maintained an average rating of 7.1, despite the team yet to register a victory.
His performances have been marked by consistency, technical ability, and defensive solidity, qualities that Gilardino will be eager to see continue as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Pisa’s upcoming fixture against Bologna presents another opportunity for the young midfielder to showcase his talents.
Although Akinsanmiro has yet to debut for the Nigerian national team, sustained impressive displays in Serie A could soon earn him a call-up to represent his country.