You Luca so good!

Luca Scapuzzi

LUCA Scapuzzi may have surprised some onlookers with the sheer quality of his play for Athletic’s cup crusaders last night . . . but not manager Paul Dickov.

The wiry Italian star, on loan from Manchester City along with compatriot and club-mate Andreas Mancini, made one goal and scored with a brilliant effort worthy of a higher level as the club made it into the area semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at the expense of Crewe Alexandra.

Along with Robbie Simpson – who did everything but find the net in another top all-round performance – Scapuzzi was the star of the show as Athletic turned on the style to defeat the League Two side 3-1.

“Every time Luca gets the ball, his head is not on the floor,” enthused Dickov, whose side are now only two stages away from a Wembley final.

“He looks a bit gangly and maybe a little bit slow at times. But when he gets the ball at his feet, he glides past players and plays nice one and two-touch football.

“What do you expect? He spent 10 years at AC Milan and he is now at Manchester City. You don’t do that if you’re not a good footballer.

“He has that ability and little bit of something special to turn games.

“For the first goal (scored by Shefki Kuqi) he has had a great shot from which their ’keeper has pulled off an unbelievable save.

“And his goal was top-class – just what you expect from a player of his ability. We are very lucky to have him.”

Scapuzzi made up for the time lost when substituted early on during his debut in Saturday’s defeat to Bury, a knock-on effect of a red card shown to goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

Paul Gerrard was the new number one last night. While he had no chance with Crewe’s second-half equaliser – scored expertly by 17-year-old whizz-kid Nick Powell – he had little else to do in the second period as Athletic cruised home.

“In the first 20 minutes, all the players were excellent on and off the ball,” added Dickov, who revealed that Nathan Clarke, who didn’t play last night, is the only on-loan player ineligible for Saturday’s home FA Cup first-round tie against Burton.

“Once we had scored, too manyplayers started taking too many touches on the ball.

“We then lost possession and they hit us well on the counter-attack.

“They have some real quality young players and they like to play that way.

“We were our own worst enemies in that time.

“But in the second half we sorted it out and we played some great football ourselves and looked really solid.”

ATHLETIC are now best-priced 13-2 third favourites with the bookies to win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, behind Brentford (7-2) and Preston (10-3).

The draw for the area semi-finals takes place on Sky Sports’ Soccer AM programme on Saturday morning.