Two months without a goal is too long a period for a striker like Santi Gimenez. The last one came in the narrow win against Verona, which was sealed with his signature. As things stand, the investment of nearly 35 million euros, including bonuses, is not paying off, but the confidence from the Rossoneri club in the former Feyenoord player remains intact. Sergio Conceicao's confidence in the Mexican has decreased, however, as he has preferred loaned English striker Tammy Abraham over him in the last three outings.
Santiago Gimenez in a negative moment?
Moving from Eredivisie to Serie A is a big change, maybe even a total one. From a league where goals are always plentiful to one where details make the difference between exhilaration and depression. Gimenez definitely needs time to understand how he can make an impact in this league and find the scoring consistency he showed at Feyenoord. The 23-year-old striker has many excuses, but also the awareness that he has had clear-cut chances to make a difference in matches against Como, Lecce, Lazio, Bologna, Napoli, and Fiorentina. And the competition has become ruthless, with Abraham finally being decisive and Jovic in excellent physical condition.
What's Santiago Gimenez's relationship with head coach Conceicao?
Sergio Conceicao, at this stage of the season, is sticking to his own path. Abraham is certainly in a very good physical and mental state right now, clearly better than Santiago Gimenez, but at the same time, the Portuguese coach is doing little to try and maximize what was the most significant financial investment Milan made this season. There hasn't been a spark between the two, and the argument that took place in training before the Coppa Italia derby certainly didn’t help resolve the situation, writes Calciomercato.com. It’s a field issue in a difficult moment for everyone. Now it’s up to the Mexican international to bounce back, especially with next season in mind, which will see a Milan with a new technical direction and a different squad.
Gazzetta: Gimenez crisis – One goal costs 9 million – Will Lucca be the backup?
