Paulo Fonseca is pondering a crucial decision as he prepares his AC Milan team for their upcoming match against Parma, especially with Alvaro Morata unavailable due to injury. The recent 2-2 draw against Torino provided some insights and hints about possible strategies for the next game.
One key takeaway from that match is that Fonseca’s new Milan displays some traits reminiscent of last season’s team under Pioli. A shining example of this is Noah Okafor, who made a significant impact as a substitute against Torino. The Swiss forward has emerged as a strong candidate for a starting spot at Tardini, following his equalizing goal that proved vital for Milan. Okafor has had a promising start in Italy, ending last season with 36 appearances and 6 goals, all in Serie A. He has expressed optimism about building on that success, and his solid preseason suggests he is ready for the challenge.
In contrast, Luka Jovic presents a different set of challenges. While some may argue for his inclusion, Okafor’s style better aligns with Fonseca’s tactical preferences. Jovic tends to thrive alongside another striker, which has been rare in Milan’s recent formation. Furthermore, Jovic generally makes the most of his chances when defenses are fatigued later in matches, a situation where he has excelled in the past when coming off the bench under Pioli.
Another intriguing option for Fonseca is Francesco Camarda, a young star from Milan’s youth setup. After a remarkable goal-scoring spree in the youth leagues, he is currently gaining experience in Serie C with the newly formed Milan Futuro team. Recently, Camarda scored his first professional goals in the Coppa Italia against Novara, showing promising growth. With the crowd at San Siro already chanting his name at just 16 years old, it’s evident that opportunities for him in the first team are on the horizon. This is why Milan has opted not to sign another striker during the transfer window, as Ibrahimovic has emphasized the importance of not stunting the growth of young talents like Camarda.
Although Camarda might not start against Parma, he will be on the bench, allowing Fonseca the option to give him a chance during the game if the situation allows. The coaching staff remains focused on nurturing his development, taking a step-by-step approach to ensure he is ready for the demands of top-flight football. As the team gears up for this match, all eyes will be on which striker Fonseca ultimately chooses to lead the attack.