QS: Striker for the future but also the present – Gimenez sends a signal to Conceicao | OneFootball

If Sergio Conceicao hoped for signs regarding the striker he should start in the Coppa Italia final, it was Santiago Gimenez who gave them.

As Quotidiano Sportivo recall, Gimenez got an assist on his debut after arriving from Feyenoord, then three goals in as many games after that. He went over two months without scoring following that red-hot start, resulting in relegation to the bench  and being the third choice.

He even missed a penalty against Napoli. Yet, in the past fortnight, Gimenez is back: a goal against Venezia, an assist in Genoa and a brace on Friday against Bologna – all in about seventy minutes. The message to the coach is strong and clear.

Gimenez: Back in form

Gimenez had 16 goals in half a season with Feyenoord on his CV before arriving at Milan. He became the second most expensive investment of the RedBird era: €32m plus bonuses, and a salary of €2.5m net per year, with a contract until 2029. The ‘striker of the future’ was the label.

He wants to be the striker of the present, too. In his sights is the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday, again versus Bologna. A dilemma awaits Conceiçao, given that Luka Jovic also had a recent resurgence.

The Portuguese must decide whether to start Santi again from minute one (in the 3-4-3 formation), or throw him on in the second half (in a 4-4-2) as he has recently done with good results.