Claudio Caniggia believes Gonzalo Higuain “is the best striker Argentina have”, and predicts his old side Atalanta will give Juventus a tough test tonight.

The former forward won 50 caps for the Albiceleste in his playing career, and he insists Pipita must go to the World Cup.

“In my opinion he is the best striker Argentina have,” Caniggia told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Claudio Caniggia believes Gonzalo Higuain “is the best striker Argentina have”, and predicts his old side Atalanta will give Juventus a tough test tonight.

The former forward won 50 caps for the Albiceleste in his playing career, and he insists Pipita must go to the World Cup.

“In my opinion he is the best striker Argentina have,” Caniggia told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Even more than [Mauro] Icardi and [Sergio] Aguero. He’s perfect to play with [Lionel] Messi because he’s technically very good at moving the ball and he has a deadly shot.

“I think he has to be the number 9 for the national team in Russia.

“Is Paulo Dybala the heir to Messi? Don’t joke around, there’s no-one like Leo. Dybala is a champion, but he’s yet to show it in the Albiceleste shirt.”

Caniggia had two spells with Atalanta during his playing career, and he was asked for his assessment of the current side.

“It seems a bit like the one I was in during Napoli’s second Scudetto year with [Emiliano] Mondonico on the bench.

“They play well, they’re solid and they don’t fear anyone. They cause problems for everyone, just as we did for those who played us.

“[Coach Gian Piero] Gasperini is doing a great job, you can clearly see his stamp on the style of play which he’s been implementing since last year.

“It’s never easy for a provincial team to perform well in Serie A, even more so when you have European commitments which drain mental and physical energy.

“Clearly, thanks to their Coach, Atalanta don’t just have great organisation, but technical quality too.

“The Coppa semi-final? It’s hard to say, the prediction is not obvious and it’ll be harder for the Bianconeri than many believe.

“Atalanta’s defence is very tough, [José Luis] Palomino for example is very interesting.

“Is Papu Gomez like me? Let’s say yes, though if I played in Serie A these days I’d get 30 goals because the level has dropped a lot.

“Papu is really strong though, and a wonderful lad. I met him when he was at Catania and he made a great impression.

“He deserved his call-up to the national team.”

Bygaby

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