Champions League – Juventus – Maccabi Haifa: Arkadiusz Milik, from OM substitute to “indispensable”

Arkadiusz Milik never hid it. At least behind the scenes. Arrived at OM in January 2021, the Polish striker, then shelved by Napoli for his desire not to extend his contract, has always said he wants to return one day or another to Italy. “He would have stayed there if De Laurentiis had not decided to sideline him”, even slices a member of his entourage. But with his back to the wall at the time, he had decided to grab the Marseille buoy on the fly, launched five months before a Euro which he will ultimately be deprived of for a knee injury.

Loaned, then bought for 8 million euros, Milik will not have met the expectations of the Canebière, in desperate search of his “grantatakan” for years. Despite a positive first six months, with 9 goals in 15 Ligue 1 matches, the striker would subsequently experience several disappointments, from his lack of playing time under Jorge Sampaoli to a profile incompatible with the philosophy advocated by Igor Tudor, based on quick transitions and the use of depth. Not unhappy to leave this summer, heading to Juventus Turin, a club with which he has flirted quite a bit in the past, the Pole has finally found what he wanted: a “big club” according to him, and Serie A, where his mark during his first spell (38 goals in 93 matches) remained visible.

“The choice to go to Juve was quick. I always dreamed of playing for a big club like Juve. Since I was little, I wanted to play in a big team. I was happy to have this opportunity and I took advantage of it. I had nothing to lose“, he confided last week to a Polish media. And yet, it was not won. Indeed, Juve, she prioritized a certain Memphis Depay at the end of the summer transfer window. But given the costs of coming of the Dutch international, plan B was preferred Formula (loan), costs (800,000 euros, 100,000 euros in additional costs and 800,000 euros in bonuses) and purchase option (7 million euros + 2 million in bonuses, payable in three instalments) ended up convincing the Piedmontese leaders.Value for money, hard to do better.

Arrived in the indifference of the tifosi, not really thrilled at the idea of ​​seeing him land in Turin, Milik managed to overturn everything. Four goals in 372 minutes in this Juve, it’s a small feat. He could even have scored five, if the video assistance had not unfairly canceled one against Salernitana (2-2) on September 11. His last against Bologna is in any case a masterpiece: an overpowered strike from the left to come and seal the victory of his team (3-0). He finds the nets every three shots on average.

“Sometimes, some players don’t arrive as first choices, and in the end it turns out to be fundamental: this is what Milik is for Juve“, wrote the Courier Turin Monday the day after this success. Also a scorer in C1 against Benfica, the Polish international is generally aligned alongside Dusan Vlahovic in the 4-4-2 (or 3-5-2) of his coach, who appreciates his long-standing profile. The qualities of the two combine perfectly. Against Bologna, the Serb for example took on the role of second striker, not hesitating to drop out to take advantage of the spaces freed up by his attacking buddy. Between them, they have scored 64% of their team’s goals this season.

Juve ready to exercise its purchase option?

Despite the (very) difficult start to the season for the Bianconeri, number 14 is therefore one of the only ones to escape criticism and whistles. Who would’ve believed that ? “It was hard to imagine such an impactexplained Max Allegri on Sunday evening. Arek knows how to play football very well. He knows how to move, move, stand out and he can play very well with Dusan (Vlahovic).” “Milik is a player who can do everything, enthused Alessandro Del Pieroclub legend and now consultant on the Sky Italia channel. He is already essential for Juve. His duet with Vlahovic works.”

Whether it will last remains to be seen. With the imminent returns of Angel Di Maria (injured, then suspended) and Federico Chiesa, who returned to individual training on Monday after his serious injury which occurred last January, Juve should quickly redeploy their wings in a possible 4-3- 3. Kostic on the left, Di Maria / Chiesa on the right and Vlahovic / Milik in the middle. A place for two. “For me, Milik must always play. There are cornerstones in this team that can’t be removed.“, however, warned Massimo Mauro, former player of Juve, in the columns of the Republic.

In Piedmont, everyone would have almost forgotten that Milik was just a plan B this summer. To the point that according to Tuttosport, the management of the Old Lady is already thinking of exercising its purchase option at the end of the current season. All in all, it would be an operation that would not exceed 11 million euros. “Juve want to include him in a long-term project, especially to serve as an example for Vlahovic“, reported the transalpine daily, always well informed of the affairs of the club. “It is still too early to discuss this, we are focused on the current season and the objectives to be achieved.“, we are however informed on the side of the Continassa.