Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani was full of praise for Sampdoria coach Dejan Stankovic as a player, ahead of the Nerazzurri’s Serie A clash against the Blucerchiati.

Simone Inzaghi’s side welcome the relegation battlers to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and Asllani was named on the bench, but revealed his admiration for the playing style of Inter legend Stankovic ahead of the game.

In an interview with Italian television broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, as reported by FCInterNews.it, the Albania international admitted that he grew up watching Stankovic play and wished he could emulate the former star’s famously vicious shot.

“I watched all of Inter’s matches and he was one of the players I watched the most, I would steal his shot because it was perfect,” Asllani declared in his interview prior to kick-off.

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old urged his teammates to continue their recent good form and secure a fourth consecutive league win, as Inter look to force their way up the Serie A table.

“We want to give continuity to this good run, we know we have points to recover in the league and we are focus game by game,” he stated.

Asllani joined Inter from Empoli this summer and has made five league appearances for the Nerazzurri, in addition to featuring four times in the Champions League.