Jovic instead of Colombo: Milan management must take responsibility

Originally posted on SempreMilan | Last updated 11/12/23

In the summer, AC Milan decided to send out Lorenzo Colombo on loan to Monza. Luka Jovic was brought in to replace the youngster but it’s a move that hasn’t played out in the Rossoneri’s favour.

Milan have struggled with consistency in attack this season, scoring multiple goals in some games and zero in others. With the 37-year-old Olivier Giroud leading the line, fans have questioned the decision to let Colombo leave in the summer.

The background

Colombo returned to Milan at the end of last season after a good year with Serie A side Lecce. He scored six goals, including the penalty that secured their contract for this season. At just 20 years old, therefore, he impressed in his first season in the top tier.

The striker continued to impress in the pre-season but as Milan were linked with Mehdi Taremi, a loan was always looming. In the final days of the mercato, the Rossoneri agreed to send Colombo out on loan as per the request of the youngster, who wanted guarantees on playing time.

Giorgio Furlani and Geoffrey Moncada agreed to the move, resuming their pursuit of a striker on the mercato. After trying to sign various players, they eventually had to settle for Luka Jovic as the Taremi negotiations broke down a few days earlier.

Many questions

It’s a decision that the management must take responsibility for, as Colombo has started the season well while that hasn’t been the case for Jovic. The youngster has three goals in ten appearances, and the feeling is that he could have impressed a lot at Milan.

Jovic, meanwhile, hasn’t found the back of the net and has also failed to offer anything to Milan. This has made life difficult not just for Stefano Pioli, but also for Olivier Giroud who has been forced to work overtime.

It’s also worth noting that Milan stalled Colombo’s loan move for nearly a month before they sanctioned the deal. It was a rather strange decision to allow it in the end, in other words, as Jovic was an emergency solution on deadline day.

At the end of the season, unless anything is done in January, the situation up front is something the Milan management must analyse and take responsibility for.

This article first appeared on SempreMilan and was syndicated with permission.

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