As Milan continue to look for additional sources of offensive production, summer signing Junior Messias’ timely return to the squad is providing the right spark, writes Matt Santangelo.
The arrival of the Brazilian from lowly Crotone for a meagre fee underwhelmed the majority of the entire fanbase at the time, and it is hard to blame them.
Milan, though a quality side, have lacked difference makers in abundance up front for some time now, so to take a flyer on a 30-year old journeyman like Messias certainly came with the risk involved. Then when you factor in his start to the season on the injury table, the move seemed like one of Paolo Maldini’s rare market misses. However, lately, with fitness finally favouring one of football’s feel-good stories of 2021, the striker could be the right pick me up Stefano Pioli’s squad needs at the moment.
Ten years ago, Messias resided in northern Italy with no job and trying to make ends meet to provide for his wife and two children. Climbing the ladder through hard work, persistence and perseverance, he eventually was able to set aside delivering fridges and make it as a
professional footballer. After coming on to head home his first, and decisive, goal in Madrid against Atleti to keep the Rossoneri’s Champions League knockout stage hopes alive, everyone seemed to begin rallying around Messias, and how could you not?
Since that magical evening, Pioli’s been dealt with additional injuries to the attack, so there would be no better time than now for Messias to assert himself in the side and carve out a role to call his own. With Ante Rebic and Rafael Leão unable to suit up in time, Pioli handed Messias his first Serie A start in the prestigious red and black shirt against Genoa – an opportunity he surely made the
most of. Early on, the attacker showed a desire to impose himself on the match, looking to get on the ball and link up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic who would score a splendid goal to open the scoring.
As the play progressed, Messias could be found doing just about everything you’d want from a winger in this specific system; pushing the ball down the flank into the opposition third and tracking back to lend a hand on the defensive side. Eventually, in the closing minutes of the first half, Messias would add yet another chapter to his already inspiring story when he headed home the second goal to double Milan’s lead.
In the second half, more Messias magic would fill the air at the Marassi when he doubled his account with a lovely, well-placed shot into the back of Salvatore Sirigu’s net. His doppietta in the 0-3 win over Andriy Shevchenko’s men was yet another impactful performance that has many believing maybe Pioli can catch lightning in a bottle here in December.
It is difficult to say in what capacity the Italian boss will utilize both Alexis Saelemaekers and Messias on the right side. The Belgian is one of Pioli’s trusted men and has a distinct purpose in this current setup.
At this moment, however, for as useful as he may be to Pioli with his energy to burn and importance on the defensive side, he simply lacks the contribution in the final third where Milan need it most. Messias may not be a world-beater or post lofty numbers, but in him, you get a direct winger who works hard off the ball, dribbles well and seems to have a wider eye for goal than his counterpart.
What initially seemed like a swing and a miss, the spark Milan’s new humble hero is providing is a testament to the club’s smart recruiting strategy that, more times than not, pays dividends on the pitch.
@Matt_Santangelo