Manchester City youngster Floyd Samba has explained that Enzo Maresca approached him on Tuesday regarding starting up front ahead of his two-goal performance in the 5-0 demolition of Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.
The 17-year-old was handed a starting berth on Thursday with Erling Haaland unavailable, and he justified the manager's confidence with a stellar showing.
Samba netted his maiden goal for the club shortly before the half-hour mark when he met Allan's delivery with a clinical header. Rayan Cherki and Allan extended City's advantage before the teenager grabbed his second with a sweeping strike.
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Ryan McAidoo completed the rout in the closing stages, but the evening was Samba's to celebrate. In conversation with City's official media channels, Samba said, via the Manchester Evening News : "I wish I could [put it into words]. That was an amazing game. This is what I dream for and to make it a reality is just the best thing in the world right now.
"Enzo spoke to me on Tuesday, saying he was putting me nine, as an idea, and then, as it got closer, I knew I was going to start and I just had to prepare mentally and everything for the game. I think I coped quite well today."
Haaland was rested on Thursday with the Norway striker being preserved for the Premier League fixture against Sunderland on Sunday. Samba mentioned that he has been studying the center-forward's approach to enhance his own development.
"When it crossed my line to Allan, I knew I had to be on my toes," he explained. "Watching players like Erling, he's always ready for the next ball. So I had to be ready there to get the header off.
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"I knew when I got the ball [for the second goal] that I had to drop back because he [Rayan Ait-Nouri] didn't have an option. I knew I had space around me and that once I get in that space and get a shot off there's a good chance of it going in."
The victory sets up a home tie against Brighton and Hove Albion in the next round, after the Seagulls dispatched Manchester United on Wednesday. The fixture is scheduled for the week commencing October 26.
