Lecce chief Pantaleo Corvino was delighted seeing Samuel Umtiti made his debut on Sunday.

The on-loan Barcelona defender featured in defeat to Roma.

Corvino said: "He was forewarned by the coach of France in view of the upcoming world championships. Umtiti was a blow born of the ideas market together with DS Trinchera.

"His profile was considered by virtue of certain aspects that were right for us.

"It reminds me a little when in the first year of Serie A I called Mimmo Di Carlo who had decided to quit. I convinced him to come anyway and in the locker room his figure was fundamental.

"Umtiti is 29 years old, he can still give a lot, and also in the locker room he does and will do a lot."