Of
Salvatore Riggio
The Frenchman who arrived at Milanello at the end of August after winning the Club World Cup with Chelsea was released against Verona. Right in front of the new Rossoneri center forward Fullkrug, who was watching from the stands
There were 37 million reasons (plus bonuses) to hope for awakening of Nkunkuthus far the most disappointing purchase of Milan’s latest summer transfer market. Time will tell if with the brace achieved against Veronathe French striker has put the most difficult period of his career behind him. Meanwhile, he finally enjoys the moment.
He landed at Milanello, after winning the Club World Cup in July with Chelsea, in the last days of August. He was supposed to be the Devil’s center forward without, however, being a true number nine. He adapted with all the difficulties involved. He was inundated with criticism, many have called for his transfer. So much so that Füllkrug from West Ham has just landed in the Rossoneri and was present in the stands at the San Siro. And Nkunku responded with two goals. The first in this championship.
He had only scored in the Italian Cup against Lecce in September: «The most important thing is to stay positive, to stay with the team. A lot of teammates supported me, like Modric. But also the coach: the most important thing was to win”, his words to Dazn at the end of the match. On his first seal, the penalty that made it 2-0, Nkunku celebrated in his own way. Inflating a red balloon: «I only had one and I wasn’t ready for the double? I only use one balloon, then if I score two or three the celebrations are with the team”, he concluded.
Yep, the balloon. The French rejoices like this because it is a dedication he makes to his five-year-old son. It’s a moment of happiness that she wants to share with him. He did it at Leipzig and Chelsea (blue), he does it at Milan. The goal is to inflate many others. Now with this double, and with three precious points that allow Milan to dispel the taboo with the small teams (one defeat and three draws between Cremonese, Pisa, Parma and Sassuolo), Nkunku found his smile again: «He is a very sensitive boy who wanted to do well. After the penalty he got unstuck, he made a goal in his DNA: attacking Modric’s shot. I believe he can still improve like everyone else – Massimiliano Allegri’s analysis of the Frenchman’s performance -. In the first half we were a little tense, but orderly. We didn’t even concede a corner. In the second half we did betterat the end of the first half we broke the deadlock with a corner kick. At 3-0 we could and should have managed the ball better.”
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December 29, 2025
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