There was a time not too long ago that Robert Acquafresca was hailed as one of the next great number nines set to dominate both domestically and internationally. Now, however, the former Italian Under-21 international has moved from Bologna to Levante on loan for the rest of the season after appearing in only six matches, three as a starter and zero goals to his name.
How did it go so wrong? Highly coveted as a player in the Torino youth sector, the striker looked to be destined for great things after agreeing to join Inter after some promising performances in the Campionato Primavera for the Granata.
During the 2005-06 season the Nerazzuri sold half of Acquafresca’s rights to freshly-promoted Treviso where he made eight appearances the whole season, but being unable to find the back of the net. Acquafresca would find more success the next season with Treviso in Serie B, scoring 11 times in 35 matches.
On the back of a solid season in the second division, Inter would purchase the other half of Acquafresca’s rights for €1.5 million, only to enter another co-ownership deal with Cagliari as part of the deal that would send David Suazo to the San Siro.
During the 2007-08 season it appeared that Acquafresca would make good on the promise he had shown with Italy’s Under-21 team, finishing with 13 goals in all competitions.
At this point, he attracted the interest of the Polish national team ahead of that summer’s European Championships, as his mother was born in Poland. However, he opted to remain in the Italian set up, and his loyalty to his country of birth was rewarded as Acquafresca played for the Azzurri at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Again, Inter bought the other half of his rights for €6mil only to send him back to Sardinia on loan. And yet again Acquafresca proved his worth by helping the Rossoblu to a ninth place finish on the back of his 14 goals. Despite another excellent season, Inter yet again used him as a makeweight in another deal the following summer with Genoa.
The Nerazzurri shipped Acquafresca to the Marassi in exchange for Diego Milito and Thiago Motta, both of whom were integral in Inter’s push to the Champions league final. Hence, Acquafresca’s time with Inter resulted in zero senior appearances.
Since being sold by Inter in the summer of 2009 Acquafresca bounced around between Genoa, Atalanta, another stint at Cagliari, and finally Bologna, who would buy the player for €2.5 million last summer. Since his 14 goal haul in 07-08 with Cagliari, Acquafresca would score only 18 goals during the next four seasons.
Acquafresca’s story is not unique. It is a problem that has been, until more recently, endemic in Italian football. A promising young player is snapped up by one of the big clubs and perpetually farmed out the smaller sides in order to gain more experience. His parent club uses him as part of deals with other clubs where he is not guaranteed consistent playing time. Thus, the player’s career stalls from lack of continuity and what was once considered promise is now viewed as wasted talent.
Nevertheless, all is not lost for Acquafresca. Still only 25, there is the opportunity to rekindle his career and while he may not become the next great sensation in Italian football, he can still get his career back on track. Levante are no slouches in La Liga either, currently sitting in ninth place.
Acquafresca looks to be figuring in their plans for the remainder of the season, should the comments made at during his presentation at the club hold any weight.
During the aforementioned press conference, Levante sporting director Manolo Salvador said: “He is a very mobile attacker that has been unlucky with injuries lately. He pairs well with [Levante striker Obafemi] Martins as another mobile forward and he has all the characteristics that fit our style of play very well here at Levante.”
Acquafresca can take to heart the story of Graziano Pelle. Coming up through the ranks at Lecce, it looked as though Italy had found the heir apparent to Christian Vieri and Luca Toni. Things did not work out for Pelle in the Salento, however, and like Acquafresca bounced around between the first and second divisions with only a modicum of success. At the start of the 2007-08 season, Pelle made a surprise move to the Netherlands where he signed for AZ Alkmaar.
Again, he left wanting, and returned to Italy three and a half seasons later, signing for Parma only to then be loaned out again to Sampdoria. Parma loaned him out at the beginning of this season back to the Eredivisie, this time to traditional powerhouse Feyenoord.
Pelle’s return to Holland has been an unmitigated success, scoring 17 times in 21 total matches, with his form even leading to calls that he join the Azzurri.
Acquafresca said during his presentation to the media that he hopes to get over his injuries and integrate himself into the team as soon as possible. Playing in a league that traditionally puts more emphasis on attack could work wonders for a striker like Acquafresca and give his career the reboot that it needs. Just ask Graziano Pelle.
You can follow Frank Lopapa on Twitter: @fnlopapa
