Dzeko: Great way to start the year

The striker found the corner from Rick Karsdorp’s low cross to give his side a late lead, on a wet and miserable afternoon at the Stadio Olimpico where clear-cut chances were hard to come by.

“Rick put the ball into the near post, a great assist,” Dzeko said. “We are pleased to start 2021 with a win.

“Every time we play against Sampdoria it seems to rain, it’s incredible. We played well from the start. It was a tough game, it was important to be able to get the win.

“We did well in the first half too, but in the second we were very aggressive, we didn’t allow them time or space to play. And then we got the goal to clinch the three points as well.”

Entering the New Year in third spot in the table, getting straight back to winning ways will have only boosted the side’s confidence – ahead of another busy run of fixtures.

“We can still get better,” Dzeko added.

“We are halfway through the season. Being in the top three gives us confidence, just as winning today will. You can always improve the squad, although it’s not easy to find top players in January.

“My future? I’m staying here.”