Icardi vs Higuain – as rated by Serie A legend Hernan Crespo

The first Milan derby of the Serie A calendar takes place after the international break.

Hernan Crespo played for both Inter and AC Milan winning trophies with both clubs including three Serie A titles with Inter.

The former Chelsea striker recently spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about the current main striker at both clubs, Mauro Icardi and Gonzalo Higuain.

Crespo heaped praise on both strikers and rated them out of 10 on a number of key attributes.

“With those two Inter and Milan can sleep easy, sooner or later they’ll score,” he said (via Football Italia).

Higuain has scored four goals in five Serie A appearances since joining Milan from Juventus over the summer, while Icardi has found the net three times in six league games this term.

Crespo suggested Icardi has a better left foot and is a better header of the ball than Higuain, but gave both players a nine for their goalscoring instinct.

He said: “If there’s a loose ball in the penalty area, Icardi always gets there first. Higuain can seem like he’s not there, almost hiding, then suddenly he gets his foot to it. He knows where the goal is in every moment of the game.

“Icardi seems to pop out of the melee when the ball seems lost, and you can never relax when Higuain is around.

Crespo went on to rate Higuain above Icardi in terms of European experience, adding: “Icardi hasn’t yet had the chance to impose himself in Europe, but he’s started really well in the Champions League.

“Higuain already has his status, so it’s an eight for Mauro and a nine for Gonzalo.”

Both players have scored two goals in two matches in Europe, Icardi in the Champions League and Higuain in the Europa League.

“Higuain is always ready”

Icardi scored a stunning goal from outside the penalty area against Tottenham in Europe last month, and Crespo believes the Inter striker is on par with Higuain when it comes to shooting from distance.

“Both eight,” he said. “Icardi isn’t lacking in that area, and Higuain is always ready and has that cutting edge.”

Crespo also claimed Higuain is superior when it comes to getting involved in the general play and dribbling.

“Involvement in the play? A seven for Icardi, who sometimes seems like an old-fashioned striker, waiting for the ball to get to him and not participating much in the build-up,” Crespo said.

“Higuain gets an eight, because his movements are decisive in attacking action. He dictates the temp with his shots, and always gets chances on rebounds.

“Dribbling? Icardi gets an eight, but it’s not his forte. Higuain, nine, because when he looks at his opponent and moves the ball with impressive speed he’s fantastic.”

Inter and AC Milan face each other in Serie A on October 21 at the San Siro.

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