The Rossoneri attack under the spotlight: Nkunku, Pulisic and Giménez in the pre-match press conference
Three attackers, three different stories, one common goal: start scoring again and carry Milan to Champions League qualification. At the press conference on the eve of Sassuolo vs Milan, the Rossoneri head coach gave precise answers about Christopher Nkunku, Christian Pulisic and Santiago Giménez, painting an honest yet confident picture.
Nkunku: undisputed quality, but the goals must return
The Frenchman — who arrived in summer with enormous expectations after brilliant seasons at Leipzig and Chelsea — has experienced a first year in Italy with more ups and downs than anticipated. When asked whether he had expected a different impact in terms of goals, the manager responded with balance: “He is a player with tremendous technical quality. This year, being his first in Italy, he has encountered some difficulties, but he has scored important goals. Recently we have struggled to score, but perhaps from tomorrow the attackers will start finding the net again. That’s what makes football beautiful.“
The message is clear: Nkunku‘s quality is not in question, and a single settling-in season does not change the substance of a player of international class. There are years when everything flows, and years when you have to push a little harder: but the quality remains, and that is the certainty Milan can count on.
Pulisic and the 3-5-2: an ongoing adaptation
The chapter on Christian Pulisic is perhaps the most complex. The American, one of the best Rossoneri last season, is going through a less sparkling period, partly due to the characteristics of the current formation. The manager had already hinted, after Milan vs Juventus, at how the 3-5-2 partly penalises the US winger’s qualities in individual duels.
At the press conference, he reiterated the concept with great clarity: “Pulisic is a very important player — it is extremely difficult to find players of his quality. Absolute quality cannot be measured over a single season: the quality remains, and Pulisic has scored important goals. In recent matches he has lacked a goal, but he has worked very hard and has put himself at the disposal of the team.“
And then, a message to the entire squad: “Now we must set aside personal objectives and work for the team, making sacrifices because the final goal is extremely important. Systems of play and who plays no longer matter: whoever takes to the pitch or sits on the bench must have the right attitude to help the team get the result.” A collective philosophy that puts the group above everything.
Santiago Giménez: a difficult season, but his quality is not in doubt
The most discussed case among journalists was that of Santiago Giménez. The Mexican striker — signed with great expectations for his goal-scoring instinct — has had a complicated season: first an ankle injury that kept him out for around four months, then difficulty finding consistency upon his return.
The manager defended the centre-forward with conviction: “Santiago arrived last year but suffered an ankle problem and started the season with that issue, being out for around four months. He has only recently returned and it is not easy to immediately recover rhythm and favourable situations. He is working well and his commitment is not in question. He remains a quality player: this less positive season is due to factors off the pitch, such as the injury.“
A clear and fair assessment: Giménez has not dropped his level — he has simply suffered the devastating blow of a prolonged injury that anyone in his position would have struggled to shake off quickly. Milan believes in its centre-forward, and the fans can do the same.
