AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli is set to start a game without Olivier Giroud up front for the first time this season, and a choice has seemingly been made on his replacement.
According to Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, Giroud will be rested against Hellas Verona on Saturday at San Siro after starting each of the first five games of the new season, even playing the full match against Newcastle in midweek.
Although Luka Jovic might be the closest replacement in terms of characteristics, it seems that Pioli will rely upon Okafor instead of the Serbia international.
It adds up given what Jovic said in his unveiling press conference earlier today, where he admitted that he is not yet in the best condition having only arrived on deadline day.
“I need some time, but I don’t know how much time I have available. I’m not 100% physically, so I will have to work very hard to be ready for the matches. I started working following a particular program, I do some things more than the rest of the team, others less.”
The responsibility will therefore fall on Okafor’s shoulders. Milan fans and the management got an up-close look at the 23-year-old last season as he scored in the Champions League meeting in Salzburg, and we profiled his abilities as a false nine in an analysis.
Please I’m expecting a wonderful performance from you so that 37 years old Giroud will only be a backup.
Giroud wanting to start every match is kind of insane. He cannot keep up with this schedule at the age of 37. It is all about match fitness and this was a big problem last season. He is not injured but his muscles just take longer to de-load, when his muscles are not well rested and free of acid he will just feel heavy.
Okafor instead of Leao, Jovic instead of Giroud.
Agree
Big shame to pioli garbage coach with garbage empty brain. Not Milan quality
Local fool. The CDK he refused to use is scoring for Atlanta. He will never use new players just the same players and playing same pattern each match and our opponents studied us and raised strategy to play against us.
CDK congratulation my boy. Shame pioli
Milan management changed players but failed to change coach.
Dream killer coach empty brain
Exactly. Poli is a stubborn boy who only wants to play his pets. Adil will waste another year of his youth rotting in Milan. Why buy new players if Poli doesn’t want to play them…
Honestly true you said it all
He knows nothing and his coaching style is outdated old fashion football