.jpg)
2 weeks ago
14 Gianluca Scamacca reveals he preferred his assist to the goal in the draw 2-2 with Verona and explains how his game ‘changed’ since coming to Atalanta.
La Dea had surged into a 2-0 lead over Verona in Bergamo this evening with Scamacca scoring a splendid flick and volley, then providing the assist to send Ederson clear for the second.
However, Hellas fought back with two in four minutes through Darko Lazovic and Tijjani Noslin to come away with a 2-2 draw.
“It was a pity, because we started strong, had the game in hand, then two incidents turned everything around. It’s a regret,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s natural that fresh legs come on and we were unlucky with the chances not to score more. We’ve got to get back up, because there is another battle that awaits us on Thursday.”
That is the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final, as Atalanta earned a 3-0 win away to Liverpool with Scamacca scoring twice.
He has now scored seven goals in his last eight games, but insists they were not distracted by European ambitions.
“We were not thinking about Liverpool tonight, we just wanted to take the three points home against Verona and tried to give 100 per cent.”
The goal hit the headlines, but Scamacca reveals he is actually prouder of the assist for Ederson.
“Maybe the assist was better. I am glad my teammate scored and it was a good pass, good movement, so maybe I preferred that.”
Is that because the flick up with the left foot and strike on the volley with the right was something he has done before?
“We do a lot of practice on these gestures in training, the ball stood up well for me and I followed my instinct to shoot. It went well.”
Euro 2024 kicks off on June 14 and Scamacca’s current form makes it likely he will be first choice centre-forward for Luciano Spalletti’s squad.
How much of that is down to the improvements seen working with Gian Piero Gasperini and Atalanta?
“Since I arrived here, there has been a big change in the way I approach games, the amount I run, the intensity I put onto the pitch.”
Gianluca Scamacca scores one, then sets one up! 
What a move this is from Atalanta 
@tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/zd59r9eFLw
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 15, 2024
Fantastic against Liverpool and he keeps it going 
Gianluca Scamacca with a PEACH of a strike to open the scoring for Atalanta 
@tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/0Vd9mKTkBM
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 15, 2024
