Gianluca Scamacca is pleased Atalanta have booked their place in the Europa League knockouts and explains why his career ‘lost momentum’ at West Ham United.
This is the result La Dea needed, but they took nothing for granted after fumbling a 2-1 lead against 10 men for the draw away to Sturm Graz.
They made up for it with a slender victory thanks to Berat Djimsiti bundling in with a deflection after a chaotic corner kick, though Mario Pasalic also missed a sitter and the Sturm Graz goalkeeper made several saves.
“It was a very intense and difficult game, as Sturm Graz were very aggressive and closed down the spaces, but the important thing was to win and go through, which is what we did,” Scamacca told Sky Sport Italia.
“All of us want to help the team go forward, as this is a prestigious tournament and we want Atalanta to go as far as possible. If we score goals, that’s even better.
“Atalanta were the first to really show they wanted me and cared about having me at this club. I spoke to the coach and the directors, they convinced me straight away.
“Strikers have always done well with Atalanta.”
On the other hand, it was pointed out to Scamacca that West Ham do not get the best out of their centre-forwards under David Moyes, which affected his impact in the Premier League last season.
“There are many areas where I need to improve and I am working on them day by day with the staff. Last season was just a bit wrong, dictated also by my injury, so I was a little unlucky.”
Scamacca’s form for Atalanta is making him the new favourite to lead the line for Italy now that Ciro Immobile is struggling, although many expected him to take that step earlier.
“Things happen when they are meant to happen. Perhaps I wasn’t ready earlier, I found some consistency and confidence at Sassuolo, but lost that momentum at West Ham. Now I want to do better with Atalanta and Italy.
“Gasperini tells me I need to move off the ball, believe in myself and never give up.”