Football Special Report: Serie A special- Capocannoniere candidate – Alberto Gilardino
Alberto Gilardino started off his career from the humble beginnings of Piacenza Calcio. Indeed that is where he made his Serie A debut in 1999/2000 season. Owing to his predatory instincts and presence in the opposition penalty area, Gilardino was frequently
compared to Filippo Inzaghi and Christian Vieri.
Gila, as they affectionately call him, moved to Verona in 2000 but it was not until his move to Parma two years later when his career really took off. Current Italy coach Cesare Prandelli bought him form Verona and partnered him with Romanian forward Adrian
Mutu. Prandelli was instrumental in grooming the raw talent of Gilardino, Mutu and Adriano. Gila scored 5 goals in his first season but piled goals in a spectacular fashion when Adriano left the club. He netted 23 goals in his second season with the club thus
winning the Italian Serie A young player of the year award in 2004. The next season he continued his spectacular form and scored another 23 Serie A goals. His performances won him Serie A player of the year award for the 2004/05 season. By this time, the forward
had Big European Clubs running after his signature.
On July 17th, 2005, AC Milan completed his signature for a reported 24 million Euros. Much was expected of the striker upon his arrival and he duly replied with 17 league goals in his first season with the club. Sadly, the player never found his
feet in the UEFA Champions league, as he went goalless in his first season in Europe. Gilardino is famous particularly for his aerial ability but he found little service in form of crosses, as Milan predominantly played through the middle. The striker lost
his form and eventually left the club as his favourite coach Prandelli approached him in 2008. Gila scored 36 league goals in 94 appearances for the club.
In Florence, the striker found a new lease of life. The presence of his old partner in crime from his Parma days, Adrian Mutu, helped him find his confidence and scoring touch. The duo jointly scored 32 goals and Gila scored an impressive 19 of them. After
Mutu was tested positive for drugs last season, the striker was forced to work alone as a striker but still managed to score a respectable 15 goals in the league.
Gila has been frequently criticized for failing to perform for the Italian international team. In all, Gilardino has appeared in 44 games for the Azzurri and has scored a decent 17 goals. For all the criticism, Gila was never giving appropriate service at
international level. With Cesare Prandelli in charge of the national team and the likes of Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli flanking him, the forward will surely be a much improved player in the Azzurri colours.
Gila has failed to hit the back of the net this season. The genius of Stevan Jovetic and Adrian Mutu is being sorely missed by the Viola. Good news for the Fiorentina faithful as Adrian Mutu is set to return in October after completing his ban.
New Fiorentina has placed his confidence in the former Parma man and Gila often performs when the odds are firmly stacked against him. With Mutu back and sharing the scoring burden, Gila will be a much relieved man. Calcio followers expect the two to renew
their partnership. With 35 games still to go in the season, Gilardino will surely be on the Capocannonieri charts come the end of the season.
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