Gianluca Scamacca has hailed the ‘real’ Hammers hero after West Ham set up a European final against compatriots Fiorentina.
When West Ham lined up for their Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against AZ Alkmaar it was being declared David Moyes had a near fully fit squad to choose from.
The only major absence was of course a certain Gianluca Scamacca.
West Ham’s £35m Italian striker faces an uncertain future at the club if reports are to be believed.
But despite a difficult first season in England, it must not be forgotten the important part Scamacca has played in the Hammers reaching a first European final for 47 years.
Scamacca scored goals in both legs of West Ham’s 6-1 qualifying win over Viborg.
Italian’s big contribution to European campaign must not be forgotten
The 6ft 5in striker got a wonderful winner in the 1-0 victory away to Anderlecht. And who can forget this thunderous strike from outside the box in the 3-2 away win at Silkeborg on West Ham’s way to topping their group with a perfect winning record.
On his return from a knee injury which kept him out for two months, Scamacca also found the net in a 4-0 home win over AEK Larnaca in the last 16 to secure a 6-0 aggregate victory and a place in the last eight.
That was the last time West Ham fans have seen Scamacca as a recurrence of his knee issue meant the striker had to have an operation which ended his season.
Hammers looking to finish the job Scamacca helped start
Without Scamacca, though, West Ham are looking to finish the job he helped start.
Leading 2-1 from the first leg, West Ham stood firm against AZ Alkmaar in Holland and scored a brilliant late goal through Pablo Fornals to seal another memorable night in the club’s history.
The Spaniard’s run, nutmeg and finish sparked wild celebrations among everyone connected with West Ham.
It also lit the blue touch paper for AZ’s moronic hooligan element to try and attack the loved ones of the West Ham players and staff.
Gianluca Scamacca hails the ‘real’ Hammers hero after West Ham set up European final against compatriots Fiorentina
They didn’t bank on meeting West Ham man mountain ‘Knollsy’ and others who kept the limp AZ attack at bay just as Moyes’ team had on the pitch.
Our Italian striker was cheering his teammates on from home, posting his support on social media before the game.
Now Scamacca has hailed the ‘real’ Hammers hero after West Ham set up a European final against his compatriots Fiorentina.
The forward has taken to his Instagram stories to post a tribute to the now world famous West Ham fan Chris ‘Knollsy’ Knoll.
“Real Hammer,” Scamacca said alongside a crossed Hammers emoji and a collage of images showing Knollsy fighting off the AZ fans, standing with his shirt ripped and doing the West Ham salute.
That’s absolutely class from the sidelined striker. And it makes a mockery of suggestions in some quarters he hates it at West Ham and is desperate to leave. If that was the case he would not be posting such things on his social media, it’s as simple as that.
You can see the message in the post below.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
Keys and Rio react to West Ham making European final.
Huge Leeds blow is Everton relief after what Moyes told West Ham stars.
Fireworks, Millwall shirts and balaclava berks but West Ham school Alphabet FC.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
