Antonio Cassano, a former AC Milan and Italy forward, has come to the defense of Santiago Gimenez, the club`s current striker who has been facing challenges this season. Cassano described Gimenez as “phenomenal in my opinion,” but also noted that “he makes mistakes and he`s struggling.”
Gimenez was the subject of transfer speculation over the summer, with rumors suggesting he might leave Milan prematurely. Despite this, the Mexican striker remained with the club but has yet to score his first goal of the season.
Speaking on a Twitch show, Cassano stated, “Gimenez is phenomenal in my opinion, but he makes mistakes and he`s struggling. What do you expect if there were attempts to sell him at all costs? It`s normal that he`s not happy, but for me, he`s very good.”
Pressure at a Big Club
Cassano, who played for Milan during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, understands the pressure of leading the attack for a prestigious club like AC Milan. He scored eight goals in 40 appearances across all competitions for the Rossoneri.
The Italian ex-player attributes Gimenez`s current form to the pressure of playing for such a high-profile team. Gimenez has yet to replicate the goalscoring prowess he demonstrated during his time at Feyenoord.
Cassano`s comments highlight the challenges young players face when moving to bigger clubs and the importance of patience and support in helping them adapt and fulfill their potential.