Gonzalo Higuain was the sole real difference between Juventus and Milan at San Siro, but his skill-set proved decisive. Where Nikola Kalinic floundered and Suso struggled, Pipita created two goals out of nothing to win 2-0. It was awfully reminiscent of when Mauro Icardi’s hat-trick decided the derby, or Ciro Immobile ran riot for Lazio. Vincenzo Montella confessed “not everyone has a Higuain.”
The Rossoneri invested over €220m this summer, but have been sorely missing a real hitman, someone who can simply bang in the goals. Patrick Cutrone has done the best job of that role so far, while Andre Silva is seemingly used only for the Europa League. Kalinic was not that man, as his history shows he has never been particularly prolific.
It's not as if Kalinic and Andre Silva were cheap either, costing a combined €63m. The real target was Andrea Belotti and he showed on his comeback after a month out just how important he is to Torino. Il Gallo didn’t score, but a great centre-forward doesn’t necessarily have to find the net every time.
Just look at Immobile: he was on target in the 5-1 victory away to Benevento, but he also provided three assists and was back defending on set plays. Can he maintain this pace after 14 goals in 11 Serie A games? Icardi, Mertens and Paulo Dybala aren’t far behind, so the Capocannoniere race might be worth a flutter on Betway Sports.
We cannot underestimate the importance of Immobile’s form to Lazio, especially at the moment when Felipe Anderson is out and Luis Nani getting to grips with Serie A. If Simone Inzaghi’s men are doing this well with key players nowhere near full fitness, then they can be allowed to dream for the future.