GdS: The ‘super duo’ – how Milan are planning for a future with Gimenez and Joao Felix | OneFootball

Santiago Gimenez and Joao Felix certainly made a positive impression off the bench during their debut against Roma, and AC Milan hope they have a pairing for the present and future.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, it was an ‘Oscar-worthy debut’ for Gimenez and Joao, who linked up perfectly off the bench with the former setting up the latter for the third goal in a 3-1 win against the Giallorossi.

Now fans hope to see them together from minute one, but it seems unlikely against Empoli tomorrow. Gimenez has some after-effects of the physical problem he suffered in the last outing with Feyenoord and Tammy Abraham’s brace showed there is no need to take big risks.

At the same time, Joao Felix hasn’t played a match as a starter since January 11 (a brace against Morecambe in the FA Cup with Chelsea) and logic dictates that he should follow a gradual growth in his integration in the Rossoneri, although Sergio Conceiçao is ‘ecstatic’ about his compatriot’s start.

From the bench though the two are equally scary to any opponent, because with all that quality – even in half an hour – they can change the outcome of a match. Then, little by little, they will take on the role that belongs to them as absolute protagonists in Milan.

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Conceiçao also hinted after the game against Roma that he is increasingly oriented towards using the 4-4-2 he deployed a lot with Porto, and with Santi and Joao up front. Although, to be honest, Felix is ​​free to roam almost as a wild card attacking midfielder rather than a pure second striker.

The fans are going further, already anticipating the wonder quartet with Pulisic on the right and Leao on the left, but the Portuguese coach also reminded us on Wednesday evening that team balance remains fundamental. .

Milan invested significantly in Gimenez, strongly believing that he is the ideal centre-forward for the years to come because of his age, potential and goal scoring ability. Felix, on the other hand, is only in Milan on loan until June 30.

And then? The question has been circulating insistently on social media since the final whistle of the match against Roma. On Wednesday, technical director Geoffrey Moncada already hinted that his permanence in the Rossoneri is not at all to be ruled out.

“We have a good relationship with Chelsea, then it will depend on us and Joao,” he said. Felix, in the meantime, was immediately enchanted by San Siro. It’s been a long time since he received a demonstration of affection like that of the Milan fans after every touch.

The management are already studying the possible formula to present to Chelsea, should these months go well: a new paid loan of €8-10 with an option to buy in 2026 at a figure of around €30-35m, something Milan can afford which would allow the Blues to avoid making a capital loss.