Scamacca and 3 more give Italy striker options for exciting Euro 2024

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ByApollo Heyes

Apr 16, 2024 16:28

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Gianluca Scamacca of Italy looks on during warm up prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium on October 17, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The rise of Gianluca Scamacca and three other strikers in Serie A this season gives Luciano Spalletti and Italy options ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

The 25-year-old Scamacca has been on fire for Atalanta in recent weeks, scoring six goals in his last five appearances across the league and Europa League, including two at Anfield in the first leg of the quarter-finals against Liverpool.

Italy are gearing up for a key European Championship in Germany in the summer, needing to put on a resounding response on the international stage after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. One issue that has continued to concern fans in recent years is their source of goals.

The Azzurri have famously struggled to find a reliable number nine since the downturn of Mario Balotelli’s career, with various options over the years like Graziano Pelle, Ciro Immobile, Andrea Belotti and more, but now things are starting to change.

Scamacca and more for Italy

Scamacca has started to hit a rich vein of form at the right time and if he can keep this up then it seems likely that he could feature prominently for Italy in this summer’s tournament. As of now, he’s only netted one goal in 15 caps for the national team, needing to prove himself.

Another striker floated as an exciting option for the Azzurri is Genoa’s Mateo Retegui, who has already netted four times across six appearances, already doing enough to establish himself in Spalletti’s plans.

Whilst it may be a risk, Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca could also be in with a shot of securing a spot in the Italy squad for Euro 2024. The 23-year-old has never made an appearance for the senior side but has netted eight goals across 32 games for an incredibly lacklustre Udinese this term.

Finally, there’s Andrea Pinamonti; the 24-year-old Sassuolo striker has shined in Reggio-Emilia this term, despite the Neroverdi’s disastrous form, scoring 11 goals across 34 appearances. He recently reiterated his hunger to break into the Azzurri squad, and he may be in with a shot.