AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has urged striker Gonzalo Higuain to “do more” for his teammates, but insists he will end his current goalscoring drought soon.
The Argentine marksman joined the Rossoneri on a season-long loan from Italian rivals Juventus in the summer, but has failed to find the back of the net since October.
What is going on with Higuain this season? Five things to know…
- Higuain has forged a formidable reputation for being one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers, but has fallen short of expectation this season.
- The 31-year-old is currently enduring a six-match scoring drought.
- As such, there is speculation that the San Siro club will not take up the option to sign striker on permanent basis at the end of the season.
- Higuain has netted just five times in Serie A this term, while his two goals in the Europa League were not enough to send Milan through to the knockout phases.
- He is currently averaging his joint-worst goals per 90 minutes ratio (0.5) in Serie A since relocating to the Italian top-flight.
Gattuso’s men suffered a humiliating exit from the Europa League last week, losing 3-1 to Greek outfit Olympiacos, conceding three second-half goals to send them crashing out.
Meanwhile, the club currently sit fourth in Serie A but some 20 points off Juventus at the summit of the table, with fans – and Gattuso – growing frustrated at Higuain’s inability to replicate his former goalscoring form.
“I’ve spoken to Gonzalo, and he’s the first to be disappointed by the situation,” Gattuso said in his press conference ahead of the Bologna game (via Football Italia).
“In the period we’re in he needs to give us his experience and character, his goals come after that.
“In difficult times the priority isn’t goals, but leadership, he needs to carry his teammates even if some make mistakes.
“The chatter around him will always be there, we can’t control everything, but I’ve told him that everyone appreciates him, though he has to do more.”
Gattuso: ‘The tears struck me. This group has human value’
Following defeat to Olympiacos, Gattuso spoke about the emotion on display in his dressing room, revealing he was surprised, as well as taken back by the tears shed from his players.
The former hatchet man stated that the scene of seeing modern players not afraid to let their emotions spill over in front of each other brought back memories of his former dressing rooms.
He added: “Seeing modern players crying in the dressing room is a sign.
“Maybe the football of 15-20 years ago is still there. That struck me.
“This group has human value, a lot of them were in tears. Before I’ve spoken about scars, and this has to be a scar which will remind us of the mistakes we made.”
AC Milan next face Bologna in Serie A on Tuesday evening.
The post Higuain has to do more for Milan, insists Gattuso appeared first on Squawka News.
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