Nigerian striker Gift Orban couldn’t hide his delight after netting his first Serie A goal to help Hellas Verona salvage a draw against Juventus on Saturday, Footynaija.com reports.
Verona welcomed an unbeaten Juventus side to the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on matchday four. Orban was making his second appearance for Verona, having made his Serie A debut in a 0-0 draw with Cremonese last week.
The Hoffenheim loanee retained his starting spot in Paulo Zanetti’s squad for the Juventus game and rewarded his manager’s confidence with a goal from the penalty spot to cancel out Chico Conceicao’s opener and earn a draw for Verona.
Orban, who produced a MOTM performance, was also embroiled in controversy, after receiving a red card for catching Juve’s Federico Gatti with his elbow.
Fortunately for the Nigerian, the referee decided against a dismissal and instead issued a yellow card following a VAR review.
Speaking to DAZN after the game, the former Olympique Lyon striker expressed delight at getting his first goal in Verona colours.
“I’m so happy. I’m enjoying the stadium’s reaction. It was my first goal and I’m truly delighted,” he said in quotes revealed by TuttoJuve. “Regarding the penalty, without any controversy, we decided before the match that I would take it.
“The positive thing is that we all want to score. Personally, I always want to give my teammates the win. Every time I can, I take a shot and I don’t see anything extraordinary in it – it’s my job. That’s how I help my team.”
Orban will now be looking to build on this performance and effectively establish himself as Zanetti’s first choice striker.
Verona still await their first win of the season after recording three draws and a defeat in four games.