Simone Zaza discussed his Sassuolo career, his debut Italy goal, working with Antonio Conte and his future targets.
The striker is expected to start tonight’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia, kicking off at 19.45 GMT.
“When I scored on my full debut against Norway, even I didn’t believe it was real,” Zaza told Tuttomercatoweb.
“It was enormously satisfying and I didn’t expect my life to change from one week to the next.
Simone Zaza discussed his Sassuolo career, his debut Italy goal, working with Antonio Conte and his future targets.
The striker is expected to start tonight’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia, kicking off at 19.45 GMT.
“When I scored on my full debut against Norway, even I didn’t believe it was real,” Zaza told Tuttomercatoweb.
“It was enormously satisfying and I didn’t expect my life to change from one week to the next.
“As well as that goal, I’d say the most memorable moment was getting a brace against Roma in December, because I was going through a rough time with overall disappointing performances.
“I remember my friends and teammates helped me so much to face that game the best way possible. I can only thank them for that.
“My rapport with Conte is different to with Eusebio Di Francesco. I have a more intense rapport at the club level, as we’ve known each other for two years and speak far more often. Di Francesco makes everyone feel important.
“On the contrary, I haven’t had much of a chance to get into a deeper dialogue with Conte. He above all focused on explaining the tactical issues I needed to know, but he did give me a hand when there was a lot of attention around me.
“I must thank him, as that attitude showed he believes in me.”
Zaza is known as a very laid-back star player and even confessed he’s made it to training at Sassuolo with a kick scooter.
“In many ways I am an anti-footballer. One of my few vices is clothes, so I can spend an entire day shopping and trying stuff on. I also go to the restaurant often and have started appreciating sushi.
“I live with my best friend and have a dog to look after, so I live a relaxed life. In the past I was simply a vivacious youngster who played football, but I never caused trouble in the locker room. I have matured over the last few years, but still have a long way to go.”
Sassuolo has proved to be the ideal club for young Italian players such as Zaza.
“You cannot deny it’s good living here. We don’t have too much pressure and can work well. It’s the right place for me and I can keep growing here.”
He has been linked with Juventus – who have an option to buy him – and Tottenham, so where would Zaza like to see himself one day?
“At the moment the top club is certainly Real Madrid, even if I’d be undecided with sides like Barcelona… Maybe Real is better, because Barça have very different strikers to me. I’m more like Karim Benzema, though obviously not in the same League!”