GdS: ‘Jovic did a Jovic’ – huge miss against Spain rounds off a ‘dark week’ | OneFootball

Luka Jovic could have been the hero for Serbia against Spain last night and could have climbed out of a difficult moment in the process, and yet he is under fire from the media again this morning.

La Gazzetta dello Sport begin a piece by citing what Marca said in their piece on the game last night: ‘Jovic did a Jovic’. They haven’t forgotten the tough years he had at Real Madrid and they took the chance remind him of it.

What happened? Jovic missed a huge chance, with an open goal, in front of David Raya, during the 0-0 draw last night. The striker had time to take aim and widen his left foot and yet he put it beyond the far post.

The match ended goalless and the image of Luka with his head in his hands went around Europe. Serbia would have beaten the European champions, not a bad way to start the UEFA Nations League group.

It has been a ‘dark week’ for Jovic, starting with exclusion from Milan’s Champions League squad list. It is not difficult to imagine that the two events are linked by a thin psychological thread, after a positive start to the summer with a renewal and getting the No.9 shirt.

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Despite that show of confidence, Milan thought for a long time about selling him and by signing Tammy Abraham it opened up further doubts about his future. For Jovic there are probably regrets: had he known of Abraham’s arrival earlier, he would have done more to find a new club.

Giorgio Furlani said at Abraham’s presentation that Milan will also need Jovic: “There are many games, so it makes sense for us to have three strikers.” It is true, but Luka has a particular character, whereby motivation for him counts more than for others.

Last season shows: Jovic was regularly Giroud’s deputy, he played little as a starter – eight games in Serie A, one in the Europa League – but he came on regularly and responded. He amassed six goals in the league, two in the Coppa Italia and one in the Europa. It seems difficult to repeat that at present.