Gianluca Scamacca popped up in the right place at the right time to send Atalanta 1-0 ahead in their Europa League quarter-final first leg clash away against Liverpool at Anfield.
The former West Ham striker neatly tucked away a first time finish from 15 yards out following a perfectly-executed low cross in from the right flank from wing-back Davide Zappacosta.
It was Scamacca’s fourth goal in five matches in all competitions, having also found the net against Cagliari and Napoli in Serie A in recent weeks, as well as another against Sporting CP in the Europa League round of 16 second leg.
Scamacca also became the first Italian to score at Anfield for an Italian team since Giovanni Pasquale in an eventual 3-2 win for Udinese, also in the Europa League almost 12 years ago in October 2012.
Gianluca Scamacca puts Atalanta ahead! ⚽️
That's 5⃣ in his last 6⃣ games now! 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK #UEL pic.twitter.com/1LqWDNB7VQ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 11, 2024
The Italy international, who was not selected by CT Luciano Spalletti in his most recent squad, was celebrating again after 65 minutes, when he struck again with his first touch to convert an inch-perfect ball in from Charles De Ketelaere.
Gianluca Scamacca makes it 2⃣-0⃣ 🤯
Unbelievable scenes at Anfield 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK #UEL pic.twitter.com/HKCpZVVz3Z
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 11, 2024