GdS: ‘One goal costs €9m’ – how Gimenez suffered slow decline to be Milan’s third choice | OneFootball

Santiago Gimenez made a red hot start to life as an AC Milan player after his arrival late in the winter transfer window, but since then he has been stuck in a rut.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, Gimenez set up fellow January signing Joao Felix on debut against Roma in the Coppa Italia, and then scored away against Empoli with a lovely curling shot.

The first chant from the Milan fans was ‘Santi subito (Santi immediately)’ showing his quick impact. The supporters’ pleas for a centre-forward who could score regular goals seemed to be heeded, and they hoped to get used to his point-to-the-sky celebration.

The descent

Fast-forwarding to early April, however, and Gimenez hasn’t scored for almost two months. Not only that, but he hasn’t been a starter in the last three games, starting with Napoli – which was decisive for the remaining Champions League hopes – and the derby.

Two nights ago against Fiorentina, he came on and went off due to an injury. A knock to the side that remains painful and could require further investigation with specific tests: we will understand better as the hours pass.

In Udine, in the early match on Friday, it is still unlikely that he will play, regardless of his physical problems. Here we are at an important point: from first choice and the big winter purchase, Gimenez has become not the second but even the third solution.

Hierarchies flip

At least this is what the last game at San Siro said: with Tammy Abraham as starter, Sergio Conceicao first put Luka Jovic on. Only after 10 minutes of the second half – also due to Abraham sustaining knock and not being at his best – did he send out the Mexican.

In 25 minutes he had a shot off target and one chance where he looked to be through but for De Gea’s intervention, which left him with a bang on the hip. There was another opportunity that could have revitalised him: a shot from Theo Hernandez from a narrow angle, with Santi alone in the middle.

His last goal in Serie A was back on February 15. Since then, another five games from the start without a goal and the slow relegation to the bench. The numerous Mexican journalists following him in the stands of San Siro have the same expression: the striker is disoriented, almost scared.

In addition to his physical recovery, there will be his psychological one to think about. There is no doubt that Gimenez remains the starting striker of the new era. The investment of €28.5m must be repaid, but at present each goal has cost €9.5m. He will have time to repay the expense.