Verona hero Orban and coach Zanetti react to draw with Juventus | OneFootball

Verona goalscorer Gift Orban has said he is “very happy” after his first goal for the Gialloblu in this evening’s 1-1 draw with Juventus, head coach Paolo Zanetti described his team’s display as a “fantastic performance.”

Orban, 23, joined Verona this summer on a season-long loan with an €8 million buy option.

The Nigerian went goalless in his debut against Cremonese on Monday but has justified the faith in him after converting from the spot today.

A controversial penalty was given against Juventus wing-back Joao Mario, with a soft handball call allowing Orban to equalise from the spot.

Orban on first goal for Verona & team spirit

VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Gift Orban celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Speaking to DAZN after the game, with quotes via TuttoJuve, Orban said “I’m so happy. I’m enjoying the stadium’s reaction. It was my first goal and I’m truly delighted.”

“Regarding the penalty, without any controversy,” he continued, “we decided before the match that I would take it.”

Orban also praised the atmosphere in the team:

“The positive thing is that we all want to score. Personally, I always want to give my teammates the win. Every time I can, I take a shot and I don’t see anything extraordinary in it – it’s my job. That’s how I help my team.”

Verona coach Zanetti on ‘fantastic performance’

VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Paolo Zanetti looks on prior to the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Also speaking to DAZN after the game, with quotes again via TuttoJuve, Verona head coach Zanetti hailed his team’s performance as “fantastic, against a top-level team – we almost even got the win but it was denied by inches.”

Zanetti commented on the penalty incident, as Orban and Giovane both wanted to take the kick. “I write down who takes the penalties and we had decided on Orban,” he said, “They followed my instructions: Giovane hadn’t read them.”

Zanetti concluded with words on his side’s season so far:

“To win games, you have to score,” the coach said, “Today we missed the win by a few inches.”

“In Udine we played well,” he continued, “but against Lazio we got everything wrong.”

“This team needs to play together, they’re really hungry to get a result,” Zanetti concluded, “the great atmosphere comes from what we’re building.”