Massimiliano Allegri made it clear what he thought of Santiago Gimenez’s performance against Bologna.
After choosing to bring him off in the second half, Allegri turned towards the Milan fans and encouraged them to clap Gimenez off the field, and the staff joined in as well. Luka Modric also gestured for applause too.
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Some supporters followed instruction, giving Gimenez a standing ovation despite the fact he missed a couple of chances. Allegri then said to the Mexican: “You played for the team. Well done, well done.”
Max Allegri, the AC Milan staff and the fans at San Siro giving Santiago Gimenez a standing ovation; recognizing his effort and hard work for the club.
“Well done, Santi. You played for the team”. 👏🏼
The goals will come. ❤️🖤🇮🇹
— All Fútbol MX 🇲🇽 (@AllFutbolMX) September 15, 2025
Allegri emphasised post-match that he liked the work rate from Santi: “He ran a lot, helped, pressed. He had some chances, it’s true, but he also arrived lacking clarity despite all the work he put in. Technically, he also worked very well.”
Santiago Giménez made the statment that, even if the sporting director (and maybe the coach if we follow the rumors) don’t like him, he will still remain in this team and prove to everyone that he is worthy of wearing this jersey.
That’s touching, I admit, but it’s about time to translate those words and those intentions into something useful on the pitch.
Saturday night he ran more than anyone, dropped deep and tried to help in the buildup. But even with those efforts he is still far from a decent striker and is more of a liability than an asset.
Maybe the lack of confidence made him a worse finisher who thinks too much and maybe his first touch is bad also because of that (I don’t believe that’s the case, but I’ll go with it for now).
But his right foot is bad, he is unable to hold play and play with his back to the goal, he is almost unable to stay onside, and his link up play, vision, passing,… aren’t that good either. If at least those don’t improve during the next few months, then we have to accept that he has bigger issues than lack of self confidence and serie A experience.
Adding to this that we’re not looking at a particularly physical specimen. He is not very tall for a striker, not the strongest, he is slow and for a mexican/argentinian, he looks a bit stiff and unagile. And these things will never improve. So it’s not like we’re looking at a striker with a massive potential either.
I think at this level as a professional footballer who spends a lot of time training on the pitch he should be able to at least do the basics right.
His first touch is so bad that it is shocking that he’s playing at this level. What makes professional footballers better than every football player is that they do the basics right. Having a poor first touch and not able to use your weaker foot is inexcusable.
I think Milan should cut their losses in January. He wasn’t a good signing and that’s fine but it will take time at least another season or two to get the best out of him. Not sure if that’s worth the wait.
DO you not realise that maybe the guy is in a bad place mentally and is struggling with confidence because the team hasn’t even backed him and were about to sell him in the summer 6 months after buying him? You think that’s gonna make a player play well, especially for a dysfunctional team like Milan? Don’t be silly and naive.
Look at Gimenez for Feyenoord and how he played, even in the Champions League, the guy obviously had talent and ability. Finishing is probably his best asset and right now it’s lacking, this tells me it’s 99% down to confidence and belief, and nothing else.
I don’t understand how you, of all people, can talk about players not being able to do the basics right from your keyboard at home..
He clearly is short on confidence. But this is Milan. No one is gonna hold his hand forever and whisper sweet nothings into his ear. He needs to improve, quickly or ship out.
Even though there’s not another 9 in the team, Allegri will figure out a way to use Leao/puli/Nkunku together and Santi will be left behind. He needs to step up.
Serie A is a tough league for strikers to get acclimatized to and turbulent 6 mo’s may not be enough time to do so, but if he doesn’t improve in a hurry under Max, he won’t remain long. Keyboard or not.
Well said bro… perfect 💯.. Forza Milan ..but hopefully he gets his game together and like you said he needs to do it quickly!!
I think he will be finding his bearings and optimal rhythm sooner than later.
The effort he is putting in should not be forgotten. Maybe he isn’t a starter and maybe he won’t be here after the winter window even but he should be respected for his attitude and work rate. The respect he’s shown the club (even when they don’t return that respect) is admirable. Worth showing any young player, if this is how you react to any situation in life, you’ll come out on top. Gimenez may not be a Milan player for long, but he’ll end up exactly where he should b/c of his positive actions.
Finally good bad or ugly I will always support a milanista. We can focus on the misses and they were bad, but he actually looked a little tougher/stronger/more physical than last season which is encouraging. I think the first touch complains are a little overstated. In the first half he snagged an ok pass, controlled it, and fired a strong shot all while holding off a couple defenders.
He may not be the only striker Milan need but he’s the only one they got so bravo for effort
Serie A defenses are tighter and will leave you less time and space to react as well as position your body effectively to finish a goal.
He is adapting and yet despite not scoring, has done some things well. He needs time to adjust, then he will begin scoring once he settles in.
The Dutch league makes for a completely different game. The level is not as high. In all sports, even very good players, with the exceptions of Messi, Crosby ie generational talents who’s skill levels and natural physical capabilities are much higher than older peers at early ages, require a transition period to make the leap. The need to become slightly stronger and faster while resituating their mental, with their bodies reaction times. Usually it is done in farm or development teams. Then a slow, gradual increase in playing time at the highest level with tampered expectations for final results, as long as the athletes show they are grasping their roles without being complete liabilities.
For a scorer, as long as he is fulfilling his duty off the ball and creating chances, you show him grace. Especially since he arrived midseason. Then late in training camp, to a new coach and a new team again, pretty much. I have faith he will make good if he is shown some confidence by management. He is a talent and still young.
Its getting kinda weird
He has done really good job helping,pressing,runing back to defend and thats why he missed those chances, he was tired.
He is really giving his everything to prove that he shouldnt be sold and he is a good striker who “needs” to live with what that retard Tare said but i really cant wait to see him on the bench and Leao and Nkunku from the start.
I have a really good feeling that Modrić is gonna feed them such nice passes in the Allegri counter tactics that this new Milan plays.
Always support your players when they’re on that field! All of them!
Can do the analyses afterwards but when they’re on that pitch full support 😁