Noah Okafor added to his showcase of important goals for AC Milan last night by scoring an injury-time equaliser against Torino having come off the bench.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, Act One of the Milan’s season opener with Chukwueze, Pulisic, Calabria, Bennacer and Jovic, went terribly. Act Two, with Okafor, Theo, Morata, Reijnders and Musah, was a huge success.
Last season Okafor played 870 minutes in 28 games, which averages out at more or less 30 minutes per appearance. He was a starter only six times and didn’t leave much of a mark during preseason, yet last night showed something: he can overtake Jovic in braking and become Morata’s deputy.
Jovic confirmed an old principle with Torino: when he plays alone, not next to another striker, he suffers and struggles to get into the game. He often appeared isolation and didn’t link up well with the trident behind him.
Okafor scored important goals last season, such as the winner against Udinese in added time, the one at the Olimpico in the 88th minute versus Lazio and the 3-3 goal with six minutes to go away against Sassuolo.
The next six months will tell a lot about the future of the Swiss forward. Okafor was the last choice in attack for his country at the European Championship which their coach explained was because of a lack of playing time and a clear role, something which risks being repeated this season.
And yet, at the end of a crazy night, the clear impression remains that Noah Okafor is much better than last season: he was already bright against Monza and he also says he feels better than ever. Jovic is looking over his shoulder, and he could soon be the third-choice striker.
Breaking News: Okafor’s a striker…….
Pulisic also, an amazing second striker, not a center forward or a winger.
It’s our holy Pioli who said that. Plus he also said CdK was only capable in playing as AMC. So that’s that.
Never start Jovic again, he is lazy doesn’t move, a s adds nothing in build up. As soon as Morata came on our offense looked much brighter, he works a lot and moves really fast.
One other thing this idea rhat we have “rest” our top players all the time – Eff that! They are athletes on top of their game who are paid massive amounts of money- play them!!!
Word. Rather a tired hermandez than a recovered attacker as left back.
Jovic should not be in this team and he’s one of the players including Bennacer who should sold along with Thiaw and Salaemakers.
Promote Davide Barteshagi to be the backup to Theo or sign a good backup. Smh
We still should sign Tammy Abraham. With Morata, Abraham and Okafor we can compete for the Serie A title.
Last season Jovic had a goal or assist ever 100 minutes. He is a great sub. Abraham is a great injury.
Yeah Jovic as essentially a permanent sub. Morata first choice, Okafor as rotation option.
Next summer Jovic is released as his contract isn’t extended. Maybe Camarda is ready to be in the striker rotation or maybe we sign a new striker, depending on how effective Morata+ Okafor prove to be this season.
We don’t need Abraham, who is going 🇸🇦 Saudi pro league anyway.
Jović was only a beast in Frankfurt because he had Kostic feeding him balls from the flank. 99% of his goals came from tap in.
Okafor knows how to work with the ball, opening spaces for our other attackers and also has great positioning and movement sense which was evident again last night with his goal.
Tap and and header is what inzaghi does that makes him one if the great strikers to ever play the game.
As a coach you should the quality of your players and play the type of football that suits their characteristic. And able to switch an adjust when sub are made.
Everyone know jovic to be an old fashion box striker and not striker that join in build up and attack. Just put the ball in the box and let him do the hustle.
Most of you blame jovic and ignore Rafa who could score 2 important goals to seal off the win
So you are proving my point – he dies not offer anything in the build up, which is why Morata dir us much better.
Things we already knew:
1. Jovic can’t play as the lone 9.
2. Can only score with other forwards in the box to free up the space.
3. Can’t create anything or score anything other than a tap-in.
4. Okafor is still a super sub.
Okafor is better then Leao but why you not wrote that? If he play last night at place Leao,he will be score twice. Leao not interesting at playing at Milan at all,he is actor,Sell him soon or he will go when nobody want spent more then 30mil.
We gave our sacred no 9 to a player whom any club didn’t want to sign (add to the fact that he’s free agent) until we signed him on the very last day of the market. Should I say more.
Okafor should definitely be ST2. Jovic is ideal bench material. The real weak spot is Thiaw and Calabria.