Massimiliano Allegri is a coach who puts trust in players but expects something in return. Santiago Gimenez must take note.
MilanNews writes that in the perfect machine that Allegri is slowly building, there’s one piece that’s struggling to fit right. Gimenez’s goal against Lecce in the Coppa Italia is too little to give him a passing grade after these first few games, especially when more was expected after a €35m+ investment.
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If not now, when?
While a period of adaptation was more than justified upon his arrival, expectations for him from August onward were much higher. Six games are still too few to make definitive judgments, but it’s clear that ‘El Bebote’ must give something more.
In the side designed by Max, in recent outings, Gimenez has been given renewed confidence in a two-man duo. Yet, it is other players that have shone. Rafael Leao’s full return may take away playing time and opportunities, though the Mexican cannot complain about not having had a run of starts.
Allegri gives so much but demands returns. So far, almost all the players have implemented Allegri’s teachings on the pitch, according to his way of thinking and playing football. Gimenez must unlock himself mentally above all, because a striker is judged on output and zero league goals tells a tale.
In between the lines, Gimenez does a lot more than just look for Goals. Defensively he plays at a level that Leao could only dream of. Seeing Alegri and what his preference is with more Team oriented Players on pitch will allow Gimenez to continue minutes wise. If the Goals start coming, beware .. Him and Counter attacking line are playing incredible Team Football.
I think Allegri messed up bringing Leao in instead of Nkunku, but it didn’t matter in the end. That wasn’t a lazy Leao, that was Leao thrown into the fire when clearly not ready.
If Gimenez, doesn’t start scoring, and a lot, since he is way under his XG, he will be deservedly benched whether he is better off the ball in Allergri’s system than Leao or not. Outside of Guivarc’h in 98 and Giroud in 2018, I can’t recall many non scoring numbers #9s that kept their place, and if anything this only happens in short tournaments not over 38 league games.
Gimenez is just a wasted 40 millions outlay
Gimenez’s first touch is horrible, which is the result of his youth development in Liga MX, not reaching the Eredivisie until age 21.
Against tight low block defenses and great goalkeepers, you just don’t have the time and space to knock the ball 6-8 ft (2 meters) away from you with the first touch.
Pulisic’s great form recently has been because he’s been taking a shot on goal with his first touch, not allowing defenders or the GK the time to react and get set
Gimenez does a lot of hard running, but he will eventually cost Milan points by not scoring. The Midfield is creating lots of chances for him, but he can’t seem to find the back of the net. Giroud or Zlatan would be on 3 or 4 goals by now.
Milan can’t afford continued missed scoring chances against teams that will only give you one or two openings per game. He probably has until January.
He does need to start burying chances. While it is great other players are scoring and his efforts are commendable, we do need to see an end result.
I do believe in him and I think he will get there.
Thankfully Santi is a backup that only started because Rafa was injured