Gasperini: ‘Scamacca can be Italy centre-forward’

Gian Piero Gasperini believes that Gianluca Scamacca can ‘become the first choice centre-forward for Italy’ after he bagged a spectacular brace for Atalanta away to Empoli.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was in the stands of the Stadio Castellani this evening and one of the players he was there to watch was Scamacca.

The striker certainly made his presence felt, scoring two goals including a classy back-heel flick, rattling the woodwork twice, assisting another for Teun Koopmeiners and seeing his third disallowed for an offside in the build-up.

“He had started the season well, then had a few injury problems that slowed him down,” Gasperini told DAZN.

“Scamacca can certainly improve and showed today what his potential is, especially in his finishing. He has different characteristics to Rasmus Hojlund and can become the first choice centre-forward for Italy. We certainly hope so and are all working to help him raise the bar even higher.”

Atalanta needed a boost after the midweek Europa League 2-2 draw with Sturm Graz, where they fumbled the lead against 10 men.

“That result really hurt, because we had the opportunity to secure qualification early. Now we must play the next games with this same level of intensity and be better at moving the ball around,” explained Gasperini.

“There are moments when our attention levels drop, where we take a few unnecessary risks. I continue to maintain that playing in Europe helps you improve your match rhythm and there are more advantages than disadvantages.”