Just when Stefano Pioli thought he might finally have some breathing room in the treatment room, the football gods have thrown another spanner in the...
Just when Stefano Pioli thought he might finally have some breathing room in the treatment room, the football gods have thrown another spanner in the works. Santiago Gimenez, the Milan forward who has been steadily growing into his role at the San Siro, was forced off the pitch during Mexico's defeat to England at Wembley. The result itself will sting for El Tri, but for the Rossoneri, the sight of their number nine limping down the tunnel is a genuine cause for concern.From a tactical standpoint, this is a rotten bit of timing. Gimenez has been showing precisely the kind of movement in the box that makes him a nightmare for defenders who prefer a static low block. His ability to drift off the shoulder and offer a focal point for transitional play has given Milan an extra dimension. Before the injury, he was starting to look like the complete package, not just a poacher but a forward who could drop deep and link play. Now, Pioli must consider whether his alternative options possess that same blend of raw aggression and subtle positioning. It is a headache he did not need with a run of tricky fixtures looming.For the neutral, there is a hollow sense of familiarity here. International breaks often feel like a lottery, and too often the clubs end up paying the price. The Mexican camp will naturally be cautious, but the early signs suggest this is more than just a knock. You have to wonder if the pace of the Premier League game, the sheer physicality, simply overwhelmed him. England's centre backs gave him no quarter, and in trying to hold off a challenge, something gave way. It is the oldest story in football: a player gives everything for his country and returns home wrapped in cotton wool.So what now for Milan The next few days will be critical. If the scans show muscle damage, we are looking at weeks, not days. That means relying on Olivier Giroud's knack for big moments, but you cannot ask a 37 year old to start three games in eight days without his legs turning to lead. This is precisely the sort of squeaky bum time that tests a squad's depth. Gimenez had begun to look like the future of the attack. The question now is whether that future has been put on hold. For a player still settling into European football, this setback could not have come at a worse moment.
