1 week ago
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Santiago Gimenez may not have scored a goal yet in Serie A this season, but Massimiliano Allegri is appreciating the work he is doing.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, Gimenez is Milan’s only No.9 in the sense of being the sole natural striker within the squad, and he has made nine appearances this season. Only four others have made as many: Fofana, Saelemaekers, Tomori and Pavlovic.
The ever-presents are players who have been considered starters since the summer: Fofana to add physicality to the midfield, Saelemaekers for his great adaptability, the latter two as key players in defence.
Santi, on the other hand, has become indispensable week by week, starting much further back than the others. He has gained ground in the hierarchies quickly, with work rate and dedication. In the summer window, it seemed he was less than a reserve, almost surplus to requirements.
The rumours were that Gimenez would be sacrificed in exchange for a striker more functional to Allegri’s style. It was Santi who opposed his departure because he felt like he wanted to make things work at Milan, and then other situations helped him.
Leao was knocked out in mid-September, and Nkunku needed time to become a cog in the new machinery. So Gimenez acted as a support man to Pulisic, challenging opposing defenders and fighting for a place in the team
When he came off the bench on Sunday evening, he won the penalty in the victory over Fiorentina within half an hour, which Leao took and scored. He also earned the spot kick against Juventus which Pulisic missed. In short, his contributions are still worth points.
Working in tandem
The goals and assist columns in Serie A remain empty, but Gimenez does everything else: moving to open up space, laying the ball off to bring others in, and engaging in aerial duels. His work, in its own way, makes him indispensable, whether he starts or Allegri assigns him the role of game-changer.
Against Pisa, presuming that he plays, will he start or come off the bench? It all depends on Nkunku. If, as it seems, the Frenchman is available, Max will have three attackers ready to play: Nkunku, Gimenez and Leao.
Nkunku could be like Gimenez was on Sunday: sitting on the bench and then exploiting his pace against more tired opponents. This way, Leao and Gimenez would start together as the front two.
This is good for Santi, who would have more time to make an impact. It should also be good for Rafa, who has proven to be more decisive when left free to roam and sprint, rather than relying on him as a pure centre-forward in the penalty area. They seem better as a pair.
Intensity and attachment
Gimenez is well-loved within the squad and by Allegri. He has the attitude Max likes, training with maximum intensity even on the most tiring days. Having returned from his last trip to Mexico, to play two matches with the national team, he didn’t need any extra rest.
He traveled from the airport to Milanello to calm down the alarm bells that had gone off after injuries to Pulisic and Nkunku, half of the squad’s forward options. Santi then started out as a substitute, part of the coach’s (successful) strategy: he had sat on the bench several times last season.
The Mexican arrived as a major reinforcement in the 2025 winter transfer window – costing €28.5m plus bonuses – from Dutch club Feyenoord, Santi was expected to lead the group back to the Champions League. Instead, he was swept up in a dismal season.
He was overtaken in the attacking pecking order by all his rivals: Abraham, Jovic and Camarda. The final frustration came through his dismissal against Roma for elbowing Mancini in the chest, though he did end his first half-season with six goals in 17 games.
A summer filled with speculation followed, then the silence that Santi imposed on a new beginning thanks to a positive start to the season. In the Coppa Italia, he scored his only goal of the season (against Lecce) and got his only assist (against Bari).
He may not yet have the numbers of a true goalscorer on the pitch, but his attachment to the shirt is evident. Gimenez was a young Milanista who, as a grown-up, fulfilled his dream of playing for his favourite team.
He lives in Milano city centre with his wife, Fer Serrano, a die-hard fan always present in the stands. He has friends and a large following all the way from Mexico. Everyone is eagerly awaiting his first league goal, and what that might unlock.
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