Cissé became the youngest Italian player to score a hat-trick in European club competition, producing three different finishes in Austria. The performance also prompted reflections from two figures who witnessed his development at close quarters: Catanzaro sporting director Ciro Polito and coach Paolo Sammarco, who worked with him in Hellas Verona’s youth set-up.
Polito recalled the impression Cissé made when he first arrived in Calabria.
“On the first day he arrived at Catanzaro, he controlled the ball with his right foot and scored with his left, with a lightness and technical gesture that were out of this category,” he said.
Catanzaro captain Pietro Iemmello was also present when Polito recognised the youngster’s quality. The director remembered telling him: “You’re laughing because you’re happy. Let’s enjoy him, because we won’t see a player like this at Catanzaro very often.”
Cissé’s contribution became particularly important during a difficult spell for the team. Polito pointed to the six goals the forward scored when Catanzaro needed an attacking lift.
“Last year, when we were struggling, Cissé was the player who pulled us out of it by scoring six goals,” he said.
The midfielder’s performances had attracted interest from clubs beyond Italy. Polito said PSV were especially keen to sign him before Milan moved, while he had also spoken with Roma about the player.
“PSV were the team that wanted him at all costs. I didn’t want that because they would have taken him away from me. Then AC Milan believed in him, and I was hoping he would stay in Italy,” Polito explained.
He also revealed: “Before Milan took him, I had a chat with Roma as well.”
Polito believes Cissé’s best work currently comes when he operates behind the main striker, rather than leading the line himself.
“I think you take something away from him if you play him as a centre-forward. What he is doing now suits his characteristics more; the most dangerous area is the one he is occupying in these matches,” he said.
Sammarco, who coached Cissé in Verona’s Primavera side, remembered making an early decision to trust him despite his age.
“At the end of his first training session, I told director Margiotta that he would play every game, even though he was three years younger than his team-mates,” he said, citing the youngster’s physical presence, technique, enthusiasm and desire to play.
When Cissé moved up to the first team but struggled for minutes, Sammarco said the teenager became frustrated and asked to return to the youth side. The staff instead encouraged him to keep pushing for senior opportunities.
Sammarco also used the example to argue for patience with young players, insisting that Serie C contains talent capable of reaching the top level.
“There are many players in Serie C, many interesting young lads with room to grow. You need courage and patience: the courage to give them a chance and the patience to understand that they will make mistakes and help them develop.”
Cissé’s European breakthrough has now provided a striking example of what that faith can lead to.