Former Inter Milan ace Antonio Cassano has hailed the impact this season of Atalanta attacker Josip Ilicic.

The Slovenia international struck four goals last week to beat Valencia and help La Dea reach the Champions League quarterfinals.

Cassano declared: "If Ilicic had met (Gian Piero) Gasperini ten years ago, he would have become one of the five strongest players in the world.

"If he had been at Juventus instead of (Paulo) Dybala the whole world would be talking about him.

"For what he has done in the last three years he wins 10-0 against Dybala."