IT was the briefest of cameos, but gave us a look into the future.
With time running down, Sinisa Mihajlovic looked towards his Bologna bench as his side trailed Genoa 2-0 at home to offer fans hope for times ahead.
Wisdom Amey was introduced to proceedings in the 89th minute to make his debut at just 15 years and 274 days.
The talented centre back is said to be one for the future, so this fleeting appearance was merely just a runout for experience.
But the defender, who is now Serie A’s youngest ever debutant, showed no fear as he got to grips with the rigours of top flight Italian football.
And this is just the beginning.
RECORD BREAKER
Two weeks before his record breaking Bologna bow, Amey wrote on Instagram, ‘Believe in it, do it, make it real’.
And he certainly did all of those things when he entered the fray for Takehiro Tomiyasu with a minute plus four minutes of stoppage time.
Amey, who doesn’t turn 16 until August, surpassed former Roma player Amadeo Amadei from 1937 and former Genoa player Pietro Pellegri, who had equalled the record in 2016 to become youngest ever Serie A player.
“He responded well, I’m happy with my choice,” Mihajlovic told Sky Sport Italia after the game.
And he was joined by 16-year-old midfielder Kacper Urbanski, who was also given his chance as the Serbian manager looked towards next season.
“Amey and Urbanski entered very well, they weren’t afraid, I’m happy to have thrown them into the fray,” Mihajlovic added.
COMMANDING PRESENCE
Immediately, Bologna fans would’ve been struck by his hulking presence.
Standing at 6ft 1in, Amey is no shrinking violet on the pitch.
And former Watford coach Luca Vigiani has sung his praises to Mihajlovic – insisting the youngster’s size and athleticism means he is already first team ready.
Amey has starred this campaign for Bologna’s U17 team under Vigiani.
“He is a centre-back with considerable physical power,” Vigiani said.
“He has good technique and concentration. We already consider him an adult.”
JOURNEY TO BOLOGNA
Amey was born in Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza, to a Togolese father and Nigerian mother in 2005.
His journey to Bologna hasn’t been straight-forward.
First, he began his youth career with Serie C side Bassano Virtus, before moving to Vicenza in 2018.
A year later he moved to Bologna, where he is now thriving.
Famously, Mihajlovic gave a debut to goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma when he was just 16 during his stint at AC Milan in 2015-16, and has been praised for giving youth a chance.
If Amey impresses as much as Donnarumma has, he’s sure to have a stellar career in Serie A.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
