Gasperini: ‘Scamacca can be the centre-forward for the Azzurri’

Gian Piero Gasperini believes Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca can be the center forward of the Italian national team. The 24-year-old scored a brace in La Dea’s win over Empoli, hitting the post twice and also providing an assist in a 4-0 rout. Speaking to DAZN in the post-match, Gasperini explained why the midweek defeat to Sturm Graz had inspired the team to put in a good showing against Empoli:

“Atalanta is a team that is growing and has regained confidence of play even if it becomes forgetful every now and then. We are coming back from a match in Austria where we put in our best and didn’t win that match. It burns us because it was an opportunity to qualify from the round. Now we will have to play the next ones with this intensity as well and we have to be better at moving the ball.”

“There are moments when we lower our attention that we fail to play the ball better, with more confidence to avoid some risks. Playing multiple games in a few days, especially in Europe, enriches you as a rhythm. Then it is clear that there can be moments of fatigue but it is more the advantages than anything else.

“Scalvini has a pretty bad lower back pain that came up on Monday. He has definitely improved these days. Inter? We face the strongest in the league, however you have a good yardstick. It will give us a better understanding of what level we are at.”

“Scamacca? He had started well, however, he had a few aches and pains. He is recovering, he is a young and healthy player. He has room for improvement and he showed today what his potential is, especially in conclusions. With different characteristics to Hojlund, he can be the center forward for the national team. Hopefully, we are all working to make him an increasingly high level player.”