Only three months into Giampaolo Pazzini’s winter switch from Fiorentina to Sampdoria, most Calciofans can claim that the move has proven to be quite the success story. The 24-year old has settled well into his new surroundings and blossomed under the partnership with the sometimes controversial but all the more brilliant Antonio Cassano.
Eight goals in his first 11 league appearances clearly state that the forward has taken a spot in Walter Mazzarri’s starting line-up. His recent impressive form has even earned him a call-up to the Azzurri. But where did it all begin for Giampaolo Pazzini?
Giampaolo Pazzini is a product of the famous Atalanta youth academy and had his first taste of senior team action in the season of 2003/2004. That year the youngster made 20 appearances and scored nine goals as Atalanta earned promotion back to Italy’s top flight.
The following year, after his debut season in Seria A, Pazzini managed to beat both Obafemi Martins and Mirko Vucinic to claim the ‘Young player of the Year’ award. The forward’s promising talents caught the eye of Fiorentina and in 2005 the Atalanta schooled forward completed his move to Florence.
Coach Cesare Prandelli opted to play Luca Toni as the main forward which automatically meant that the youngster watched most of the action from the bench and acted more as a second forward.
Things were looking brighter in the Azzurrini and on March 27, 2007, Pazzini scored a hattrick against England at the Wembly Stadium – opening the goal scoring just 25 seconds into the game.
When Toni left for German giants Bayern Munich in 2007, Pazzini took over his former team mate’s role on the field but unfortunately he failed to impress on his surroundings with only nine goals to his name in 31 appearances.
When Alberto Gilardino joined Fioretina in 2008, Pazzini once again found himself falling behind the pecking order as Prandelli decided to form the successful duo consisting of Gilardino and and former Juventus hitman Adrian Mutu.
As a result of the lack of playing time Pazzini jumped at the chance to join Sampdoria when the winter transfer window opened on January 2009. Things changed radically for Pazzini as he had finally had arrived at a club that was willing to include him in the club’s long term plans.
The newcomer had some reservations when his new club offered him the mighty No. 10 shirt as he himself had hopes of continuing the No. 29 on his back. However, new team mate and radar partner Cassano encouraged the fellow countryman to take it.
The No. 10 shirt had prior to Pazzini’s arrival been vacant for the two years that had passed since club legend Francesco Flachi was caught for doping.
Pazzini’s Samdoria move shot off with a bang and he has even scored consecutive braces against both Roma in the league as well as against Inter in the Coppa Italia. His impressive form also earned him a call-up by Marcello Lippi to La Nazionale.
Media were whispering that the Sampdoria forward wouldn’t be able to showcase the same goalscoring ability without Cassano beside him – but he was soon to prove them wrong. He made his Azzurri debut on March 28 as he came off the bench against Montenegro and scored the 2-0 goal with 20 minutes left of the game.
Just four days later Lippi handed Pazzini his first starting shirt at home against Ireland. The Sampdoria forward had been on the field for two minutes before he was given his marching orders after going in roughly into a duel with John O’Shea. It was a rather harsh call from the referee as the 24-year old was obviously going for the ball.
Despite the unfortunate sending off against Ireland, it seems that Giampaolo Pazzini is finally enjoying life and football at Sampdoria. The future looks very promising for the forward and what he will have managed to achieve after a full season with his new club still remains to be seen.
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Tags: Giampaolo Pazzini, Sampdoria, Seria A
