Venezia suffered another painful defeat in Serie A as Frosinone scored an 83rd-minute winner to claim a 3-2 victory, but Super Eagles striker Akor Adams once again showed the qualities that could make him a major part of Giovanni Stroppa’s plans this season, Footynaija.com reports.
The result leaves Venezia still searching for their first league point after three matches. They had already lost 2-0 to Lecce and AC Milan before Sunday’s trip to Frosinone, while a 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat to Udinese had also ended their cup run earlier in the week.
Adams started alongside Albion Rrahmani as Venezia looked to finally get their attack going, and the Nigerian was involved from the start. He came close in the 31st minute when he fired just wide after Antoine Hainaut picked him out with a cross following a fast break.
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Frosinone then took control and went into half-time 2-0 ahead, but Adams continued to offer Venezia an outlet whenever they moved forward. Shortly after the restart, he helped create another opening when John Yeboah’s effort was blocked after receiving the ball from the Nigerian striker.
Adams shows why Venezia need him
Adams also tested Lorenzo Palmisani with a header in the 59th minute, forcing the Frosinone goalkeeper to make the save.
That was the sort of contribution Venezia needed from their centre-forward. Adams did not find the net, but he stayed involved in the attacking play and gave the home side something to defend against.
He was replaced by Lion Lauberbach in the 70th minute with Venezia still trailing 2-1.
The timing proved interesting. Venezia equalised four minutes later through Richie Sagrado, who finished from close range after Hainaut’s assist. But just when they appeared ready to escape with a point, Giorgi Kvernadze struck in the 83rd minute to restore Frosinone’s lead.
Venezia pushed for another equaliser but could not find it, leaving them empty-handed again.
Adams joined Venezia permanently from Sevilla in July and signed a contract until June 2030. The club brought him in as part of their attempt to compete in Serie A after promotion, and his previous record explains why they have placed faith in him. He scored twice and supplied an assist in his competitive debut against Modena in the Coppa Italia before starting Venezia’s first three league games.
The goals have not arrived in the league yet, but Adams is still getting into positions and bringing others into play. Against Frosinone, he showed enough movement, strength and presence in the final third to suggest that the goals can come with better service and greater support around him.
For Venezia, though, the bigger problem is becoming clear. Adams can help solve their attacking problems, but he cannot cover for defensive mistakes that keep costing the newly promoted side points.
