Broja dissects dream first start
Armando Broja described an 'unreal day' at St Mary's as the Southampton youngster marked his first Premier League start with the winning goal at home to Leeds United.
Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl called upon the loanne from Chelsea to lead his line on Saturday afternoon and heaped the rewards of the decision on 53 minutes.
A quick Saints break from defence to attack saw Nathan Redmond fed through on the Leeds goal, before the experienced forward squared the ball to his rookie counterpart who made no mistake with his first touch.
It capped off an impressive afternoon's work for the Albanian international, who said: "It feels amazing. The boys were unreal today and the way we pressed and stuck to the game plan, the way we defended.
"From defence, the goalkeeper all the way to attack I thought we were class. I can’t thank the boys enough I thought they were unreal.
"Like I say prior to this I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a kid; getting my first Premier League start and a goal to come with it. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
"It was an unreal day but you’ve got to give credit to the boys because they were amazing today. Nathan Redmond put it on a plate for me and I just had to finish it off."
The partnership of Redmond and Broja was certainly a unique one as far as Saints' 2021/22 season has seen so far. But the 20-year-old forward couldn't have been happier with his strike partner.
"He said to me before the game, ‘just keep making the runs and the goal will come’ so I saw Nathan on the ball and I knew I had to go.
"It felt great. He’s been playing in the Premier League for a long time, he’s experienced and knows everything. In the game he’s great to be with because he coaches you through, tells you where to be, when to cover. I know exactly what I’m doing.
"He just helps me, all the experienced players help me. All the older, experienced players try and help the younger players so it’s just like a massive family."
