Born in Turin to an Italian father and a Polish mother residing in Alpignano, Acquafresca entered the Torino youth system at the age of 6.

As part of the co-ownership deal, Acquafresca remained in Treviso for the 2006–07 Serie B season and scored 11 goals in 35 appearances.

In January 2010 the Italian striker prematurely ended his loan spell at Atalanta and returned to Genoa, as the club completed a three player three club swap, which saw Hernán Crespo move to Parma, and Parma's Nicola Amoruso move to Atalanta.

On 19 July 2011, Acquafresca was loaned to Bologna[13] for a €500,000 fee,[14] in a 1+3 year contract worth €1.692 million in a season in gross.

Bologna made Acquafresca's move permanent after the 2011–12 season, buying the player's remaining 50% registration rights for €2.5 million in a 5-year contract.

[17][18][19] On 31 January 2013, Acquafresca left for Spanish club Levante UD, after a goal drought in six Serie A appearances during the 2012–13 season.

[25] On 1 September, a sister website of La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the player would be left out from the first team squad in his final year of contract.

[27][28] Acquafresca has been capped for the Italian U-17, U18, U19, U20, and Under-21 sides, making his Italy Under-21 debut in a European qualifying match against Albania on 1 June 2007.

[29] On 18 March, he finally opted to refuse the Polish Football Federation offer, and instead confirmed his choice to represent Italy at international level.

Acquafresca also played for the Olympic team against Romania in a friendly match,[31] as well as against Lega Pro club Borgo.