Alberto Gilardino has bounced back from the disappointment of being overlooked by Giovanni Trapattoni for Euro 2004 to establish himself as Italy's leading striker. While the Azzurri's senior team struggled to find the target in Portugal, Gilardino produced a series of impressive displays as Italy won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and collected bronze at the Athens Olympics. Gilardino's efforts were rewarded with a call-up to the full squad by Trapattoni's successor Marcello Lippi and he played in eight of Italy's 10 World Cup qualifiers. The youngster scored 23 Serie A goals for Parma in both the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons to secure a 24 million euros move to AC Milan, where he has continued his prolific form in front of goal this season.