Even when Italy won the Euros three years ago, fans complained that the Azzurri were ‘without a striker’ but this is something they can no longer say this summer, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
The lack of a consistent centre-forward has frustrated Italian fans for the last 15 years, at least. Despite excellent performances at a club level for Ciro Immobile, the Lazio star could never replicate his form with the Azzurri prompting him to say that even if Italy won the Euros three years ago, he “didn’t receive the same treatment as the others.”
Ciro has netted 201 goals in 353 Serie A games, but his record with the national team is quite disappointing with just 17 goals in 57 appearances. Immobile was Spalletti’s first Italy captain in September 2023, but after just 11 goals in 43 Lazio games this term, the 34-year-old hasn’t even made the preliminary squad for Euro 2024.
On the other hand, Spalletti’s list includes the likes of Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui and Gianluca Scamacca and there is no doubt that most Italy fans are looking forward to seeing the Atalanta star in action this summer.
Spalletti did not call up Scamacca for friendly games in March, perhaps for disciplinary reasons, but the CT has reiterated that he’s always believed in the ex-Sassuolo and West Ham striker. In his latest interview with Sky Sport Italia, Spalletti said he was “not” surprised by Scamacca’s performances in 2024, insisting that he started the Atalanta star in key games against Ukraine and England.
Scamacca had a slow start in Bergamo, also due to a few injuries, but the 25-year-old has been Italy’s best striker in 2024 with 13 goals and seven assists in 27 matches.
Gianluca Scamacca since the start of 2024:
👕 27 games
⚽️ 13 goals
🅰️ 7 assistsHeating up just in time for EURO 2024 🇮🇹🔥 pic.twitter.com/UGlB4N4RPw
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 26, 2024
He also became the first Italian player at Atalanta in the last 20 years to contribute to 18 goals in a single Serie A campaign.
Most importantly, Scamacca has the characteristics of a real centre-forward, which Italy have been terribly missing for over a decade. His physicality, technique and ability to hold the ball up front make him one of the most exciting Italian players at Euro 2024. He’s not Harry Kane, and he may not be on the same level as the best strikers in Europe, but Scamacca has been on fire in the last five months, and there is a feeling that he hasn’t yet entirely fulfilled his potential.
The 25-year-old will also be motivated by the fact that he’s only scored one goal in 15 appearances with the Azzurri.
Retegui is in a different situation, given that he scored fewer goals for Genoa this season but has a stunning record with the national team.
The Argentine-born striker inspired Italy’s 2-1 win over Venezuela in March and all fans and media after the match said the same thing: “We have found a striker for Euro 2024.”
Retegui scored seven goals in 29 Serie A games with Genoa this season, but he has four goals in six games for the Azzurri and, just like Scamacca, he has proved to be a real centre forward who can both score and do the dirty work for other strikers and midfielders.
Last but not least is Giacomo Raspadori, who has started five games from eight under Spalletti. The Azzurri CT knows ‘Raspa’ well, having trained him with Napoli in the Partenopei’s title-winning campaign. The former Sassuolo ace can be used as a false nine and will offer different tactical options to Spalletti and his players when he is deployed.
Like all other Napoli players, Raspadori’s season has been highly disappointing, but don’t forget that Rudi Garcia, Walter Mazzarri, and Francesco Calzona used him in many different positions. Spalletti sees him as a centre striker, which is also the players’ favourite position.
Even Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Italy don’t have top-class players in attack, but the number and the quality of options at Spalletti’s disposal means the Azzurri fans can no longer say that we don’t have a striker for Euro 2024.
Scamacca has one goal in fifteen appearances. Retegui has a much better goal to caps ratio, but he also has only played 6 times.
As for Raspadori – a v.accomplished player but he is more of a mobile attacker than a centre forward. When we talk about the lack of a genuine centre forward, we’re talking about the lack of a genuine forward who embraces the shirt and looks and feels comfortable at international level. Fact is, we haven’t had one since Vieri retired. Scamacca is 25 and has proved nothing yet.
With Ciro in the team, history has written that Italy won the Euros. Italy never had strikers that score a lot, Paolo Rossi in 1982 maybe. Now let’s see with… Scamacca if they reach even quarter finals. Btw, what has Raspadori done more than Ciro this season? Getting subed on in 87th minutes of matches in the 10th place Napoli? Ciro even now scored 4 in Champions League. The career numbers he has achieved these ”young” italian strikers wouldn’t reach in 5 lives.
Vieri scored 9 in 9 World Cup games 😂 Baggio scored 9 too. How did you gloss over those two whilst singing Ciro’s praises?
Don’t worry, maybe Camarda will be on the team in a couple of years. Then we’ll have our striker
Vieri 49 matches, 23 goals, didn’t win anything with Italy (wow, what a contributor). Baggio 56 appearances, 27 goals also didn’t win anything. These numbers are not impressive either, that’s why i don’t mention them. And they played with better teammates. Do you think these numbers (appearances/goals) are something special?
9 goals in 9 World Cup games is one goal a game at the biggest international tournament. Top players turn up for the big occasion. Baggio was central to Italy reaching a final, and Vieri remains one of the greatest centre forwards to have ever kicked a ball. Like I said – to talk down their achievements whilst hailing immobile is laughable.
Def would’ve liked to see Ciro lead the attack despite the past season woes
Last number 9 that actually won anything is Luca Toni! Baggio was a 10 and Vieri, well, that generation of Italian players, underachievers. When Italy win things every player contributes apart from 82 maybe. I wouldn’t worry they’ll be out in the first round anyways.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but no Italy still don’t have a striker.