Sometimes explaining what happens in football is truly difficult. Explaining how a non-headline player like Nkunku could have gifted Milan a piece of the Champions League is not straightforward. It would have been more natural to expect it from Leão, from Pulisic, from Rabiot. Instead, it is another Frenchman who takes the spotlight. Once and for all, after a season with a few flashes and often lived behind the scenes.
Nkunku, hands on fourth place
Of course, anything can still happen and Cagliari, given Milan’s historical record against smaller teams, will not be an easy walk, but getting past the Genoa hurdle is at the very least a major positive boost. So Nkunku must be given what is his. A large part of the victory was down to him. Because without that incident, the feeling is that the match could have taken a very negative turn. Instead, the Frenchman was quick to exploit a gift from the Genoa defence and win the penalty, which he then converted with great composure. From that point onwards there was an overall improvement from the team, even if not a decisive one, which led to a two-goal lead and then the final three points, as pointed out via Milan Press.
Nkunku, another hugely important goal
Although the numbers suggest otherwise, it is clear that this has not been Nkunku’s best season. He remains far from his Bundesliga peak. But the fact remains that, compared to his last two seasons at Chelsea, this 2025/26 campaign is a strong revival. Seven goals in Serie A, compared to a total of six over the last two English league seasons. And of these seven Italian goals, many have carried significant weight. Beyond the goal at Marassi, Christopher was decisive in Florence, earning a point that will make a difference in the final tally. The goal in Como also deserves highlighting. A goal (for the temporary 1–1) that paved the way for the eventual victory. Much like in Genoa. That makes three, all significant. Almost half. And very likely, in a week’s time, they will prove to be important.
