AC Milan have been left to do a bit of introspection after their shock defeat against Spezia on Monday night, and Stefano Pioli now has a major selection dilemma ahead of the visit of Juventus this weekend.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) writes that Pioli granted a day of rest to his team after the loss agains the Ligurians and they will therefore return to training today at Milanello to start preparing for the weekend match against Juventus, which is one where the Rossoneri cannot afford another slip-up at home.
There are some tough choices to be made, especially in the forward department where there is a battle between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud for the role of starting centre-forward. The Swede played starter against Spezia and failed to score again, meaning he has not netted at home since the 2-0 win over Lazio, while the Frenchman has scored all his goals at home.
Of course, we know how much Ibra wants to play matches like the one on Sunday against his former side Juventus and therefore it will not be easy for Pioli to leave him out. After the game against the Bianconeri there will be a break for the South American national teams for World Cup qualifiers, so both players will be able to get back to top form.
Who Pioli plays against Juve will depend on the type of striker he wants, because Ibra is in fact a centre-forward who is also a quarter-back, while Giroud gets less involved overall in build-up play but takes up more dangerous positions for crosses.
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Journalist Fabio Ravezzani said it best: “Ibrahimovic makes all Milan work for him. In return, he should score when the right balls arrive. If he fails, it is normal for a team of 10 to be out of breath and suffer in the second half as happened to the Rossoneri. Today, Ibra is a luxury reserve, not a starter.”
Sadly right now (and probably till he retires) Ibra is not a starter. He should only come on in the last 30 minutes or so. Then he can be explosive, not worry about conserving energy and give it his best.
I certainly believe that Olivier Giroud should definitely start against juventus ,,,and I believe he needs to be on the pitch for the whole duration of the game ..
He holds the ball up extremely well allowing others into the game ,and his shot accuracy is very good ,an astute header of the ball ,as well as ability to score with both feet ..The best will come from him now he is fit ..
I believe that Olivier Giroud should play the complete
match against juventus ..Reasons he is now coming back to full fitness ,and no one holds the ball up as well as he’s does which allows others into the game .
He is such an intelligent player and reads the game so well , he is an astute header of the ball ,as well as the ability to score with both feet..He shot accuracy rate is very good .The best is yet ,and will come from him .