GdS: Milan hand Giroud’s baton to Morata – a comparison between the two | OneFootball

Olivier Giroud left AC Milan when his contract expired at the end of June, and the feeling is that entrusting Alvaro Morata with his spot is very much a ‘passing of the baton’.

La Gazzetta dello Sport have provided a comparison between the two, starting with the last two seasons. Giroud was almost irreplaceable for Stefano Pioli while Morata started most games under Diego Simeone but partly changed his way of playing the role.

Since his arrival, the Frenchman carried the attack at times in terms of his availability. He ended last season with 47 appearances (38 as a starter), 17 goals and eight assists in all competitions. The former Arsenal and Chelsea player, now at Los Angeles FC, was a fixed pillar for Milan.

He was someone that the team revolved around, both in terms of build-up and providing service into the penalty area. Giroud played with his back to goal but also pressed hard, while scoring important goalstoo.

In the last two seasons, the numbers show 94 appearances (77 from the start), with an average of 70 minutes on the pitch. He scored a total of 35 goals and 16 assists, with a conversion rate of 16.6%.

Morata’s last two seasons instead tell of an important evolution. The Spaniard played with Los Colchoneros in the 2019-20 season and in the last two years and his heat maps show a different work compared to what he was used to in his career.

Categories in order (2022-2024): Average rating, games played (starts), minutes per game, goals, assists, big chance conversarion, shots per game, % of shots into goals, minutes per goal.

With Simeone, Alvaro became more of a typical striker and concentrated his presence in the final 30 metres. This is something Fonseca said he wanted during his presentation press conference, when asked for the type of striker he was looking for.

It is no coincidence that the last season at the Wanda Metropolitano was the best of the former Juve player’s career in terms of goals, with 21 goals (which become 36, adding the previous season too in 93 games).

The European Championship won as captain with Spain in Germany provides yet more positive signs. For the head coach De la Fuente, Alvaro was essential with support play and his movements freed up spaces for Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.