Venezia coach explains key area Akor Adams must improve

Venezia head coach Giovanni Stroppa has explained the key areas Super Eagles striker Akor Adams must improve following the club's 2-1 defeat to Udinese in the Coppa Italia Round of 32 on Wednesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The newly promoted Serie A side were eliminated from the 2026-27 Coppa Italia after suffering a narrow defeat at the Bluenergy Stadium, marking their third successive defeat across all competitions.

Venezia began their season with an impressive 3-2 comeback victory over Modena in the Coppa Italia Round of 64, with Adams scoring twice and providing an assist on his debut.

However, they have lost all three matches since then. That run began with a 2-0 home defeat to Lecce in their first match back in the Italian top flight. They then suffered another 2-0 defeat against a Samuel Chukwueze-inspired AC Milan in their second league game of the season.

On Wednesday, Venezia took the lead in the ninth minute through Richie Sagrado. However, Udinese fought back and scored the equaliser in the 34th minute through Ivorian forward Vakoun Issouf Bayo.

The Ivorian completed the comeback a few minutes after the restart, sealing a 2-1 victory for his side and sending them through to the Round of 16, where they will face Atalanta.

Venezia coach identifies what Akor Adams must improve

Akor Adams was once again in action for Venezia, although he had little time to make an impact after coming on in the 82nd minute to replace German forward Lion Lauberbach.

It now means three games without a goal for the club's record signing, who joined Venezia in a deal worth between €20 million and €23 million earlier in the summer, despite his impressive debut against Modena.

Speaking after the match, Stroppa praised Adams' qualities and importance to the team but admitted that the Super Eagles striker still has room to improve both technically and tactically.

“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 coach said post-match.

“Let's not forget Rrahmani and Lauberbach: today they still created many opportunities and bothered Udinese.”

Stroppa also praised his side's performance and backed Venezia to eventually turn their encouraging displays into positive results.

“There are many positive aspects in the performance, but we suffered a corner goal from an opponent who doesn't even jump: we have to be smarter.

“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.

Adams will now be hoping to rediscover his scoring touch and open his Serie A account for Venezia as he looks to hit top form ahead of the start of the Super Eagles' AFCON 2027 qualifiers later this month.

Venezia will visit Frosinone on Sunday afternoon, hoping to finally get off the mark in Serie A and bounce back from their poor start to the season.