Simone Zaza
 Zaza in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Simone Zaza | ||
| Date of birth | 25 June 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Policoro, Italy | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Sassuolo | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997–2002 | Stella Azzurra Bernalda | ||
| 2002–2006 | Valdera | ||
| 2006–2010 | Atalanta | ||
| 2010–2011 | Sampdoria | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2010 | Atalanta | 3 | (0) |
| 2010–2013 | Sampdoria | 2 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | → Juve Stabia (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2012 | → Viareggio (loan) | 18 | (11) |
| 2012–2013 | → Ascoli (loan) | 35 | (18) |
| 2013 | Juventus | 0 | (0) |
| 2013– | Sassuolo | 46 | (16) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007 | Italy U16 | 3 | (0) |
| 2007 | Italy U17 | 2 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Italy U19 | 1 | (0) |
| 2014– | Italy | 5 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 January 2015. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Simone Zaza (Italian pronunciation: [siˈmone ˈdzadza]; born 25 June 1991) is an Italian footballer who plays for Sassuolo and the Italian national team as a striker.
Club career
Early career
Born in Policoro in the province of Matera, Zaza grew up in Metaponto and began his youth career with Stella Azzurra team from Bernalda in 1997. He remained with the organization until 2002, when he moved to the youth academy of Valdera at the age of 11. He remained until 2006, when he was scouted by Serie A side, Atalanta B.C., whom he joined shortly after. He remained within the club's youth team for four years and even began to earn senior call-ups towards the end of the 2008-09 Serie A campaign.[2] He made his Serie A debut on 19 April 2009 in a 0–1 home defeat to Reggina Calcio as a 76th minute substitute for György Garics.[3] He made two further substitute appearances for Atalanta that season, though he remained within the club's youth setup for the entire 2009-10 Serie A campaign.
Sampdoria
In July 2010, Zaza officially transferred from Atalanta to fellow Serie A side, U.C. Sampdoria on a 4-year contract. With the Genoa-based club, he was enlisted in the club's Primavera (under-20) youth team for the 2010–11 season, though he also earned several first team callups, including two substitute appearances against Genoa and Fiorentina during the 2010-11 Serie A campaign. He was promoted to the first team at the conclusion of that season.
On 14 July 2011, Zaza was officially sent out on loan to S.S. Juve Stabia in the Serie B on what was set to be a season-long deal. After just 4 appearances and no goals for the club, Sampdoria opted to recall the player during the 2012 January transfer window. On 7 January 2012, the club loaned the player to Lega Pro Prima Divisione side, Viareggio on a six-month deal to provide the youngster with regular first team experience. His stint with the third-division club turned out to be very successful; he managed 11 goals in 18 league appearances (17 as a starter). After returning to Sampdoria on 30 June 2012, Zaza joined Ascoli Calcio on another season-long loan deal ahead of the 2012-13 Serie B campaign. Zaza officially joined the club on 16 July 2012 and made his debut in a 1–3 home loss to A.S. Bari on 1 September 2012. Zaza went on to score 18 league goals in 35 Serie B appearances (30 as a starter) en route to becoming the 6th top goalscorer for the season. His goals were unable to prevent Ascoli's relegation as they finished the season 20th in the league table. He returned to Sampdoria on 30 June 2013.
Sassuolo
On 9 July 2013, Juventus F.C. officially bought half of the registration rights of Zaza for €1 million from Sampdoria. Co-currently Sassuolo bought another half of the registration rights from Sampdoria for €2.5 million[4] (€1.25 million cash plus Gianluca Sansone). Sassuolo had the actual use of Zaza for 2013–14 Serie A season. On 1 September 2013, he scored their first-ever Serie A goal, as the team lost 4-1 to Livorno.[5] On 20 June 2014 Sassuolo bought Zaza outright from Juventus for another €7.5 million.[6] Juventus retain a right to re-purchase Zaza for €15 million in 2015 or €18 million the following year.[7]
International career
He represented Italy at under-16, under-17, and under-19 levels.
On 31 August 2014, he was called up by head coach Antonio Conte as part of the senior team squad for a friendly match against the Netherlands and the first Euro 2016 qualification game against Norway. On 4 September, Zaza made his debut with the Italian national team, playing as a starter in a 2–0 win against the Netherlands. He was fouled by Bruno Martins Indi in the 9th minute to win the penalty kick from which Daniele De Rossi scored Italy's second goal in the 2-0 victory. On 9 September, Zaza scored his first goal for the Italian national team in the 16th minute of their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Norway.[8]
Style of play
Zaza is a quick, strong, and well-rounded left-footed forward, with good technique, and an eye for goal. A versatile and hard-working player, he is capable of playing both as a centre-forward, and off another player, as a second striker. Due to his physical attributes and his positional sense, he also excels in the air; his powerful and work rate, offensive playing style has drawn comparisons to several players, such as Vieri, Trezeguet, Adriano, and Ibrahimović.[9][10]
Career statistics
International
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 9 September 2014 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway |  Norway |
References
- ↑ http://www.ascolicalcio.net/squadra.asp?id=770
- ↑
- ↑ Game report by ESPN
- ↑ "Agreements about the player Simone Zaza" (PDF). Juventus FC. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ↑ http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/299347/report
- ↑ "Agreements with Sassuolo Calcio" (PDF). Juventus FC. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- ↑ "Zaza, dalla Samp alla Nazionale nel segno di Paratici. Con quella doppia opzione di riscatto per la Juve...". Di Marzio. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ↑ "Italy 2-0 Netherlands". BBC Sport. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ↑ "Scheda tecnica di Simone Zaza". Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ↑ "La scheda tecnica di Simone Zaza.". Retrieved 7 February 2015.
External links
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