Olivier Giroud left AC Milan when his contract expired at the end of June, and the feeling is that entrusting Alvaro Morata with his spot is very much a ‘passing of the baton’.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have provided a comparison between the two, starting with the last two seasons. Giroud was almost irreplaceable for Stefano Pioli while Morata started most games under Diego Simeone but partly changed his way of playing the role.
Since his arrival, the Frenchman carried the attack at times in terms of his availability. He ended last season with 47 appearances (38 as a starter), 17 goals and eight assists in all competitions. The former Arsenal and Chelsea player, now at Los Angeles FC, was a fixed pillar for Milan.
He was someone that the team revolved around, both in terms of build-up and providing service into the penalty area. Giroud played with his back to goal but also pressed hard, while scoring important goalstoo.
In the last two seasons, the numbers show 94 appearances (77 from the start), with an average of 70 minutes on the pitch. He scored a total of 35 goals and 16 assists, with a conversion rate of 16.6%.
Morata’s last two seasons instead tell of an important evolution. The Spaniard played with Los Colchoneros in the 2019-20 season and in the last two years and his heat maps show a different work compared to what he was used to in his career.
With Simeone, Alvaro became more of a typical striker and concentrated his presence in the final 30 metres. This is something Fonseca said he wanted during his presentation press conference, when asked for the type of striker he was looking for.
It is no coincidence that the last season at the Wanda Metropolitano was the best of the former Juve player’s career in terms of goals, with 21 goals (which become 36, adding the previous season too in 93 games).
The European Championship won as captain with Spain in Germany provides yet more positive signs. For the head coach De la Fuente, Alvaro was essential with support play and his movements freed up spaces for Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
Remove penalties from the stats. There is no comparison. Morata is a significant upgrade compared to the Giroud of last season. What was left of Giroud was only the part in the box, the goal scoring. And even in that Morata significantly outperformed Giroud last season, with 0.70 non penalty goals per 90 minute vs. 0.35. Double the amount.
Morata can keep the ball better, carry it forward, attack the space giving depth, go wide and exchange position with the wingers. He also does more work in pressing, in the Euro was impressive off the ball. Giroud especially in the second part of the season was completely unable to help the team if not scoring.
Could we buy someone better than Morata? Maybe. He is better than Giroud? No doubt.
You take the 4 penalties away from Giroud, he still comes out on top because of the assist. The only reason Morata is better is because he is 6 years younger. Everywhere else Giroud got him outclassed. If I could have a 32yo Giroud or a 32yo Morata it’s a nobrainer
How he got him outclassed? Even if you consider assist we are 0.84 vs. 0’67 per 90 min.
Even if you look at overall career stats Giroud is not better than Morata. Giroud was a key player for us and we are emotionally attached because of some crucial goals he scored for the scudetto. But I don’t understand why if Giroud wins a world cup without scoring he is great and if Morata wins the euro scoring 1 goal only he is a poor goal scorer.
Again of course I would have preferred Sesko or the Sporting guy, but we need to remember what Giroud was especially in the last year, also in crucial matches like Roma.
It’s right there on the stats. You even have a heatmap ffs. How does he outclass him indeed…
If you’re objective it’s pretty obvious, career wise, Giroud is the better player.
One stat for last season that says it all. Morata big chances missed 23. Giroud 11. And Giroud played more games as well.
You’re the one saying morata outperformed Giroud and the stats just don’t foking show that
I’m taking Morata 10-10 times at this point in their careers and it’s not close
Nobody said anything about that.
It’s a no brainer that you can’t have a 35+yo ST as your #1 guy tho.. not long-term anyway. Ibra came, played football, retired. Giroud came, played football, moving on..now it’s moratas turn to play ball
Yeah I guess that summary is a good justification of the management going for him, even though it does appear he was their 2nd choice behind Zirkzee.
Apparently Atletico looking to replace Morata with Julian Alvarez from Man City. Personally I think that would have been a good signing for us but Fonseca seems very satisfied with Morata.
Forza Milan
Let’s not forget that we’ve got Camarda. Sign Morata and Fullkrug on 4 year contracts and they will get sold after 3 seasons for break-even or both walk after four, and in that time Camarda should become our no. 9 at age 19 or 20. Simple and smart progression. It would send the wrong message to Camarda to spend 60M on a young striker right now. Neither Fullkrug or Morata are bad strikers. Indeed, Fullkrug kind of reminds me of Bierhoff. I think this will all work out.
Amen to that! FINALLY a person who withdraws the penalties from Girouds amount of goals. I totally agree: its a significant upgrade and we got him for 13 million 🥳
For sure. I’ve witnessed enough Morata misses to confirm he’s the worst striker I’ve ever seen. Just wait and watch as your comment proves inaccurate when he squanders countless opportunities this season🤣🤣
Giroud was great for his age and dedication, but he wasn’t good enough for Milan’s aspirations. Niether was second term Zlatan. We need a striker who will at least be a legit pick for top serie a striker. Currently Juve, Imter, and Napoli have someone who is clearly better than Giroud or Morata, and that should be our standard
Bro which drugs are you smoking?
Wakeup, Zlatan had better stats for Milan second experience.
People are forgetting an important thing that most stats don’t capture: performance relative to the situation/stakes. Giroud was always Giroud, but Morata becomes an incompetent mess when the stakes are high. Morata has the same disease as Lukaku.
Virtually the same stats. Looking at even a longer average they’re almost bang on avg the same. We’ve replaced him basically without going beyond. And no, getting another striker is not going beyond, it’s just a waste and complicates game time allocations. Would hv been good to get something more but if this is the best they could do then we’ll hv to see how it plays out. Our subs are ample esp as we’re going status quo..
Of course Alvarez would be absolutely top choice for any team now. But we cant even dream about it. Or Dovbik. Right?
Alvaro Morata’s playing style isn’t rely on Physicality, but also his movements so his heat map is wider & deeper than Giroud. So i expect he will help build up & even go wider more often than Olivier Giroud, so AC Milan next season should more fluid & Rafael Leao should find the net more often.