Santiago Gimenez was announced by AC Milan last week and as stated by Mauro Tassotti, he could be very important for the club. However, the former Rossoneri assistant also stated that Sergio Conceicao needs to find a balance.
In addition to winning 17 major trophies with Milan as a player, including five Scudetti, Mauro Tassotti managed to win 10 major trophies as an assistant manager of the club. In short, he knows a thing or two about winning silverware with the Rossoneri.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport for today’s edition (see photo below), Tassotti shared his thoughts on Milan’s January signings, above all Gimenez. He also spoke about Sergio Conceicao and his willingness to use the 4-4-2 formation.
Tassotti, what impression did Gimenez make on you against Roma?
“Milan had centre-forwards, but Morata and Abraham haven’t scored much so far. Morata in particular has never scored twenty goals a season during his career. Gimenez is more of a penalty area man, more of a finisher.”
What can he bring to Milan?
“The profile is right and now it’s his turn: he’s scored a lot in his career so far, but in Holland… In Italy, the difficulties are greater: he’s young and can learn a lot.”
Santiago has been a Milan fan since he was a child…
“Many have become passionate about Milan thanks to the team of Ancelotti, Inzaghi and Maldini, the one that won two Champions Leagues in the 2000s. Plus, San Siro is a dream stadium.”
Do you also like the signing of Joao Felix?
“He has a somewhat particular footballing history and, when he moved from Benfica to Atletico, he had to deal with a huge valuation (126 million) which didn’t help him. We also saw that he has class against Roma: he scored a non-trivial goal with coolness and confidence.”
Can Milan be the right team for the Portuguese?
“In the past, it has been for many and maybe it will be for Joao too. At Milan, if you give your all and have class, people love you.”
It was Conceicao who wanted him…
“Finding a coach who speaks your language, who knows your strengths and weaknesses is important. If Conceicao asked for him, it means he knows how to use him and how to get the best out of him.”
Do you like the Gimenez-Joao Felix duo in a 4-4-2?
“They are young and have the characteristics to do well and coexist. However, it is essential to find the right balance on the pitch: since the first matchday, Milan have had problems in the defensive phase and they confirmed this against Roma.
“You can’t always score three or four goals per match… The team has enormous potential and now it remains to be seen whether Gimenez, Pulisic, Joao Felix and Leao can coexist.”
In the meantime, in the Champions League playoffs, Conceicao will not have Gimenez as an opponent…
“A good advantage. Milan also have the strongest team and the second match is at San Siro, where they have rediscovered the warmth of the crowd.”
What should the Devils aim for in this final part of 2024-25?
“The team seems more suited to the Champions League where they have already beaten Real Madrid: they can have a good run and, if they get excited, go all the way. In Serie A, they must find the continuity that they have not had so far: they can only enter the top four with a streak of victories.”
Milan will be up against Empoli tonight and while Gimenez isn’t expected to start, we will get to see the 4-4-2 from start for the first time. Joao Felix is set to get his full debut, just like Riccardo Sottil, so there is a lot to look forward to.
It would be exciting to see all four on the pitch, though Tassotti is right to have concern about Rafa covering his defensive responsibilities on that side of the pitch. I also wonder about whether all four will sacrifice for one another to score goals. Little things, like will they make000 a strong run to the back post to draw a central defender away, like Puli did last weekend on Reijnders goal.
With four of them starting we become too heavy up front and need for DM presence to cover.