AC Milan will play Inter in the derby next week and amid question marks regarding Olivier Giroud’s condition, Stefano Pioli could field either Luka Jovic or Noah Okafor. It’s the first mercato battle of the season, as a report states.
Giroud left France’s camp early due to a minor ankle injury and he has already started the recovery process. It’s believed that he will make it back in time and play from start against Inter, but Stefano Pioli cannot be caught unprepared.
As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, Jovic vs. Okafor is the first proper mercato battle of the season. The two arrived this summer and need to prove their value, hoping to get the opportunity to shine in the derby.
Jovic has not made a single training session with Milan yet and thus Okafor is quite clearly the favourite in case Giroud can’t make it. However, everything will depend on what Pioli will see from the two in the training sessions leading up to the game.
Down the line, it seems the idea is to have Okafor as the deputy for Rafael Leao and Jovic as the deputy for Giroud. Now, however, the two are battling it out.
Okafor. I don’t like Luka Jovic. He plays weakly upfront. He’s also not Sharp and he lucks a fighting spirit most of the time.
I think Giroud will start with the plan to replace him in 2nd half, probably with Okafor to stretch tired defenses.
Then when Leao inevitable cramps up in the 79th minute, we bring on Jovic at no.9 and move Okafor to take Leaos place at LWF.
It’s for times like this that we look to squad depth, look on the bright side at least we have some this season. I’d rather Okafor+Jovic+Chuwueze as impact subs than Rebic-Origi-Messias of recent times.
Forza Milan
Finally the media discuss Milan’s players fighting for starting eleven. And yes, the competition is so much more fierce than last season.
But i think it is pretty clear Okafor will start, if Giroud isn’t fit enough. Because Okafor already has his debut and already play the lone striker role few times in official match for Milan.
Chukwueze will start too, if Pulisic isn’t fit. Chukwueze already has his debut & fill RW too.
So both new players are ready to be the starting eleven. But when vs Inter, it will always better to field the strongest players for starting eleven.
Surely Pulisic v Chukwueze was the first? But it’s a long season, everyone will have their chance to play – will cheer on whoever is selected.
Okafor should start Ahead jovic surely