Roberto Mancini lamented Italy's sparse selection of capable centre-forwards during his tenure, raising concerns that it could be detrimental long-term. Luciano Spalletti, his successor, never emphasized this issue openly, but the early exit from Euro 2024 reignited debates.Italy's striking woes were spotlighted by Gianluca Scamacca’s struggles and Mateo Retegui’s modest scoring at the start of the Serie A season. However, both players have emerged as unexpected scoring leaders, dominating the charts months later with Retegui at 20 goals and Kean at 15, marking a significant turnaround in Italian football.
Starting up front in their last-16 defeat to Switzerland was Gianluca Scamacca, making his 20th appearance for Italy and yet to score his second goal.
Retegui is first with more goals (20) than starts (18). Moise Kean is next on 15.
What changed? Neither player was a hot pick to become capocannoniere before this season began, not even after Retegui secured a late August move to Atalanta.
Only Thuram, on 13 goals, has a hope of catching the two Italians on present form.
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