Venezia boss Stroppa backs Akor Adams to become complete Serie A striker

Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa has praised Akor Adams as “definitely a good player” while challenging the Nigeria international to improve his defensive work and develop into a more complete striker in Serie A.

Adams joined Venezia from Sevilla for €17m and made an immediate impression by scoring a brilliant brace on his debut against Modena in the Coppa Italia.

However, the 25-year-old is still waiting for his first Serie A goal after playing two matches for his new club. Stroppa believes Adams already possesses the attacking qualities required to make an impact in Italy’s top flight, but says further progress in his overall game is needed.

Speaking to pazzidifanta, Stroppa highlighted the forward’s movement and willingness to contribute to the team’s pressing structure.

“Under the technical aspect, there is always room for improvement. On the tactical aspect, he makes the first pressure, goes deep and goes at the goal: he is definitely a good player.”

The Venezia manager’s comments came as he stressed the importance of tactical discipline across the team. Stroppa said Adams and his team-mates must preserve the correct distances between the different lines during matches, while also making better use of the chances they create.

Venezia have been able to produce strong performances, according to their head coach, but he believes the team are being punished when important moments in matches do not go in their favour.

“We played a great first half, but we didn’t score. The result is missing and you have to score points.

“We work for performance and we can be satisfied with the level of play. But we pay for the episodes and we have to be more careful. The opportunities created are too many not to bring points home”, he concluded.

For Adams, the early stages of his Venezia career have therefore brought both encouragement and an immediate challenge. His two-goal Coppa Italia debut provided a strong start following his move from Sevilla, but he has yet to reproduce that scoring form in Serie A.

Stroppa’s assessment suggests the Nigerian striker’s attacking ability is already clear to the Venezia coaching staff. The next step, in the manager’s view, is for Adams to become more consistent in his defensive responsibilities while continuing to press, drop deeper and attack the goal.

That balance will be central to his development as Venezia look for performances to produce points, rather than leaving matches with praise for their play but no reward on the scoreboard.