Stefano Okaka has credited Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic after scoring the Italy winner against Albania.
Okaka struck the only goal of the game in his Azzurri debut.
"Mihajlovic was fundamental for me, as from the first day he treated me like a son. He changed me and relaunched me in the top football world, for which I will forever be grateful.
"At 16 I made my Serie A debut, so by the time I was 20 people said I was already old. Thanks to Mihajlovic I am now here celebrating a goal for Italy.
"If I wasn't hungry, then I might've stopped playing four or five years ago, because going from Roma to Serie B was a big drop and could really dent a young player's confidence."
