Higuain and the REAL reasons of an unthinkable crisis
Gonzalo Higuain is living the most difficult period since joining AC Milan on loan from Juventus. But what are the reasons for this apparently unexplainable dip in form?
You can change the order of the addends but unfortunately the result does not change. It almost gets worse. Because Saturday afternoon at San Siro, absurdly, despite that 4-3-3 formation that he so much to prefers, we probably saw the worst Gonzalo Higuain of this Milanese era.
An unexpected result: impalpable, off and tremendously prone to discouragement. 8 matches have passed without a goal in Serie A, a new record in what is undoubtedly the most delicate period of his career. Not for one or more specific results, also because nothing could ever overcome those still open wounds with his Argentina, but for a prolonged period of inadequacy and frustration. Never so bad in his football life, and it’s not just a matter of goal. A similar fast, also happened at Napoli in the 2014/15 season, where he managed to get out only on the 8th round. At the time, despite the difficulties, he was still functional to the game of Rafa Benitez: active, present and an essential element in the chorus of the game. Now, however, Higuain is a ghost in all respects. El Pipita is not lucid in front of the goal, nor does he illuminates his teammates. A note out of the chorus in a score already out of tune.
Where is the Higuain we saw at the start of the season?
Inadmissible. Neither for the 18 million euros loan invested in the summer, to which should added another 36 million for next summer, nor for the immeasurable and undoubted quality of the player. There is a phrase from the beginning of the season, pronounced by every single fan of the Rossoneri, which clearly depicts how much the Argentine had touched the hearts of the Red and Black fans: “A striker like this hadn’t been seen for years on these parts“. And how to blame the many who suffer. But it was above all a rare feature all over the world that attracted particular attention: the ability to be a number 9 and nearly 10 almost at the same time. Bomber first of all, but then also a precious finisher thanks to an amazing game vision and excellent technique. Verticalizations, cuts and winning assists for the many teammates whom he helped find the back of the net at the start of the championship. Then, suddenly, the light went out.
Higuain, a champion who has never been a leader
What really happened? A premise first of all is a must: Gonzalo Higuain is an amazing technical leader, but not charismatic. He never has been. He prefers to speak with his right and his killer instinct but has never distinguished himself as a ferryman in the absolute sense. El Pipita is not a locker room man, a wise and engaging profile in Pepe Reina style. He is silent, introverted, and tends to be volatile compared to the events that happen around his world. There is nothing wrong with that, for heaven’s sake, but it must be said. As well as it should be emphasized that Gonzalo tends to be a prima-donna in a gala of the highest level.
He would like perfection or almost around him, a very high level. And probably in the long run, especially with the start of the massacre, he will have felt the backlash compared to the organizational harmony of Maurizio Sarri at Napoli and the technical superpower of coach Allegri at Juventus. Milan, to date, is at a different level and he has realized it. At San Siro, Higuain is forced to be more of a worker, a major mental commitment is required from the 31 year old, descending him from a pedestal on which he has been comfortable for years. Difficult, damn complicated, for a very irascible type and severe with everyone, primarily with himself. He certainly imagined a lower starting point compared to last experiences but probably not quite so low. When he really understood it, frustration takes over. Lethal, by the way, for a self-corrosive character like his own.
Higuain, there is also the assist-man problem
Parallel to the psychological side, where the former Real Madrid star has always been vulnerable and difficult to manage, there is also clearly a technical aspect concerning the pitch and the whole team. Because the absence and geometry of Lucas Biglia, or the insertions and support behind the area of Giacomo Bonaventura, are certainly shortcomings not to be underestimated. The two serious injuries that have completely changed the face of the midfield. From a proactive and technical area, at start of the season, to a heart and muscle midfield with Frank Kessie and Tiemoue Bakayoko but certainly with poor results regarding passing and assists. Furthermore, Higuain would have particularly appreciated the raids of Andrea Conti on the wing, punctual there on the right to cross balls at every opportunity.
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Because the big problem of AC Milan, in fact, is also this. The Rossoneri lack assist-mans. We have never really seen Hakah Calhanoglu this season, Suso always suffers a disturbing dip in form in December while Samuel Castillejo has never found continuity. With Patrick Cutrone there is a sort of hate and love relationship from a football point of view. Sometimes they combine well together, others less so and they step on their feet. And even Gattuso, inevitably, has some responsibility for his failure to exploit Higuain’s qualities better. But the faults remain mainly and principally of a champion of this level who has become self-enclosed and is struggling in the main phase of this journey. The good news is that at the end of the day it’s all there, ready and hot. It’s a matter of head and nothing more. Just a spark, a flash, and San Siro will see that attacking colossus with whom they fell in love immediately. Frosinone and SPAL are perfect victim to be sacrificed, Higuain will only have to free himself mentally. Then new year and old habits. AC Milan’s golden Pipita is always there.
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