Eto'o can still make the difference in Italy - Mihajlovic

The Serbian has paid tribute to the Cameroonian, who had a massive training-ground dust-up with his boss shortly after arriving in Genoa in January Sampdoria boss Sinisa Mihajlovic heaped praise on Samuel Eto'o after the striker netted his first Serie A goal in four years during the 2-0 win over Cagliari.

The Cameroonian joined the Genoa-based side on a free transfer in January after being allowed to leave Everton but looked set to quit the Stadio Luigi Ferraris after a training-ground dust-up with Mihajlovic.

However, the pair resolved their differences and Samp are now reaping the benefits, with Eto'o's strike sealing three precious points with the crucial second goal in the victory on Saturday.

"I don't want to speak about individuals," Mihajlovic told Sky Sport Italia. "We played a great game against a well-organised side.

"But I'm happy for Eto'o, just as I am his team-mates. He was a great champion and in Italy he can still make the difference.

"He had a little bit of a difficult start [at Sampdoria] and we had to understand it was because we have strong characters.

"He was very good. He allowed us to close out the game, so compliments to him and the whole team."

Samp's victory sees them climb to fifth in the Serie A standings and move to within three points of third-placed Napoli, in the final Champions League qualification berth.