Olivier Giroud’s drought without a goal from open play continues, and a report has suggested it might be time to give Noah Okafor the starting spot.
MilanNews focuses on Giroud’s situation the day after the frustrating 0-0 draw against Dortmund in which he was one of the culprits of the chances missed to open the scoring.
It goes without saying that the Frenchman is a winner and he is one of the leaders of the dressing room, but precisely by virtue of the great expectations that are nurtured around him, but unfortunately age waits for nobody.
At 37 years old and with difficult games against Newcastle United and Dortmund in the Champions League to reflect on, it has become clear that Giroud needs to arrive 100% rested for the biggest games.
Milan tried to sign a starter-level centre-forward in the summer such as Mehdi Taremi, but had to fall back on Luka Jovic who arrived in less than optimal physical condition.
However, Noah Okafor also arrived during the summer, who is improving in condition and in matches like last night’s – where a high pace is needed – he could be a resource that is more useful than Giroud.
At Milanello they are convinced that the former Salzburg player can grow a lot in the role of striker, but to do so he will need continuity and to play some Serie A matches as the starter.
The day after tomorrow it will be his turn to lead the line against Genoa, but it is after the break that Pioli will have to make some potentially tough choices to balance the fixtures.
In essence, the coach will be called upon to alternate between Giroud and Okafor even in important matches because the former can no longer handle two ‘high intensity’ games in succession, while the Swiss forward needs to add to his wealth of experience matches of the highest caliber to be able to grow further.
Jovic’ game is needed more than Okafor. Okafor is way too similar to the other 2 players in the forward line.
Jovic is very good playing with his back to the goal. He can shield, hold up the ball and then pass it with both feet, from both sides, which will allow the wingers to make those run behind the defense.
Okafor can’t do that.
If Jovic is up to the fitness level desired by Pioli, he should get the nod to start over Giroud not Okafor. Yes Okafor scored 2 goals so far but they were tap ins. The rest of the time he didn’t really contribute much nor was he involved in the build up. Plus he always wants to go 1v1 and doesn’t look to pass.
Start Jovic as a striker
Okafor>Jović any day of the week and twice on sundays
Jovic in less than prime condition will likely pan out better than Giroud in current form…
Thats the thing about form.. it changes
I dont see Pioli dropping Giroud anytime soon unless he gets injured
Jovic scored 6 goals in Serie A last season, that’s the same output Colombo had at Lecce. I highly doubt he’s an upgrade on the likes of Okafor who is dynamic and has way more tools in the shed than Jovic. I’d take Colombo in a heartbeat over another failed wonderkid in Jovic.
People have hard time reading and comprehending what’s written.
Okafor is a winger that Milan will try to convert in a striker because they failed to sign Taremi.
Jovic is a striker. He doesn’t need to score 20 goals, but the way he plays will allow the players around him to score more goals.
Okafor plays the same way as Leao. Give me the ball on the wing and let me play 1v1. You need something different from the striker, not the same you will get from your winger.
If Okafor was so good why was Milan trying to sign Taremi and then on the last day of the mercato, every other striker with a pulse around Europe?
Players like Okafor are flexible buddy. Much like Liverpool’s front line over the last couple of years you could see either wingers (Salah or Mane) play in the center when Firmino was unavailable, and that’s what Okafor brings, versatility, if he’s banging in goals why limit him to a place on the bench over starting Jovic who wasn’t even fit when joining? Also Jovic isn’t a target man, he has never been, he’s more a poacher in the mold of a Mauro Icardi than someone who creates opportunities for his teammates. Okafor was never the target for the striker position, so it wasn’t a choice between him and Taremi, we were still looking to sign Taremi even after Okafors arrival, and that hinged on Colombo staying. Haven’t you been following things buddy? Time to get your head out of the sand, no ostriches here.
Too bad Colombo didn’t stay and fight for his place like Adli isn’t it? Instead he couldn’t get out of Milan fast enough.
Jovic is a flop and it was a panic buy but okafor is a genuinely good and while i think milan should replace giroud with a world class striker next season but still okafor can be crucial to the team if he got some experience and got some momentum so giving him time is more beneficial now and on the long run than jovic who would be out of the team or a mediocre sub in the best case scenario
I hope he can prove me wrong but I doubt it
More nonsense from Z. I’m pretty sure Z stands for ZZZZZZZZZZ because only someone asleep could come up with this nonsense. Dreaming, pal.
It’s really unprofessional of the guy to show up unfit.
Lukaku had been frozen out of Chelsea and made to train by himself, but when he finally arrived at Roma he was playing right away and seemed to be in decent playing shape.
Or maybe Pioli has decided he doesn’t like the guy already, and Milan has no obligation to keep him after this season.
Could be both reasons
Jovic is still under contract with Real, in fact they are paying half of his paycheck. His contract expires in June 2024. We got him from Fiorentina without any fee and no obligations whatsoever because Real has a percentage from the next sale, but since there was no sign on fee, Real gets nothing. It also means, Jovic is a free agent in June so it is in his best interest to get fit and show what he can do, if he hopes to either stay in Milan or sign for another club.
Okafor should have opportunities to prove himself, he has pace, dribbling abilities and calmness on ball, with enough champions League experiences.
Giroud is too old, too slow, too unfit to even be a 2nd choice. He should be benched until he retires.
Giroud is class ,,,speed has never been part of his game ,but what has is his physical and technical ability to be in the right place at the right time .
I will tell you all in advance ..We need Olivier Giroud in our team ,,and he will indeed start in many matches for us…All Olivier needs is pace around him ,and decent crosses into him ..plenty of goals to come from him ,for sure ..never ever write him off ..
Inside and around the 18 yard area there never ever will be anyone better than him .
Yes we should have won the game last night ,and yes he should have scored,,,but what about the other chances we had …Let me just say tomori was brilliant,,if it had not been for him ,we would have lost this game…midfield did not get the act together,,,so just don’t blame Olivier Giroud…you are not real fans .
Just two seasons ago ,,if you remember,,I said that when we signed Olivier Giroud,,I thought we would win the scuddeto,which we indeed did ,,last season against all the odds we reached the champions leauge semi final ,,yes much of this was down to Olivier ..
Yes sometimes of course he needs a rest as do all players …Why does Olivier Giroud still represent his country…simple he is class .
Good news ahead I strongly believe we will win the scuddeto this season .Yes we need Olivier Giroud.
Amazing, every word of what you just said… was wrong.
I like Oli but man, this is wild and hilarious
What? Yes, Giroud was the reason that Milan got to CL semi finals, you mean when he created that goal against Napoli by himself? Or in any other case where he was just a piece of wood in the box that other players hit? You are delusional, Giroud was never a top stiker, he was above average at Arsenal. That is it, he went back into average after that 2 good seasons.
I agree we need him, but on his best position, warming the bench and going in for the last 10 minutes when the team is trying with high balls.
I mean I like him as a person, but let’s be realistic finally. I have been saying this for some time. Giroud as first striker – Milan isn’t Fiorentina or Sassuolo. That is where he could be a 1st team player every week.
We should’ve just convinced Colombo to stay, he’s in shape and had the same output as Jovic had in Serie A last season at relegation battling Lecce.
Forget Colombo people – he’s not a Milanista. Okafor is looking pretty good when he comes on and I was wondering why he didn’t start against Dortmund. Or at least come off the bench sooner when it was clear Giroud was having another lamp post night. Going forward I’d start Okafor and rotate with Giroud until Jovic is ready and then see where we are.
I love Giroud but this team is too good to be not scoring and not winning. There needs to be a change and Okafor is the obvious decision.
What do you mean you love this team .it’s too good not to be scoring .
How long have you been involved with football .not long by the sound of your remark. We have been scoring goals in the sera A..Olivier Giroud has four of them and three assists .
I have faith in the team we have .indeed we will probably win the scudetto this season .Olivier Girouds contributions will be needed .
All teams get beaten sometimes .Yes PSG against Newcastle.Man city have recently lost two games .The midfield we have at the moment ,due to injuries is a little weak with lack of experience. .This is just a blip .soon will be resolved.
Those who think Giroud is a starting striker must have missed his career. He will never give you 20 goals a season. Let’s play to his strengths, not drag 90 mins out of tired legs.
I love Giroud, 100% dedication, one of our best signings in recent years, but use him now for the last 30 mins when he can create chaos. Unfortunately we missed out on CF targets last time (I thought we should have bought Icardi who definitely will get you 20 and ended up going for a snip to Galat), but we do have younger options and if they don’t convert in the first hour, you have a bench weapon.
It is time to start fitting round pegs into round holes..