Luka Jovic can forget about the Champions League. AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has decided he doesn't need the Serbian. It is yet another setback in the career of the 26-year-old striker.
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Luka Jovic, once considered a rising star in European football, has faced a series of challenges and setbacks in recent years.
He began the current Serie A season as a starter for AC Milan against Torino, signaling a potential fresh start. However, since that opening game, his role has been drastically reduced, managing to clock only four minutes of playing time in subsequent matches. This limited involvement reflects the struggles Jovic has faced in securing a consistent place in the team.
AC Milan, on the other hand, has also had a shaky start to the Serie A season, currently sitting in 14th place with just two points from their first three games. This disappointing beginning has added pressure on the team and its players to quickly find form and improve their standings. For Jovic, the team's early difficulties have been compounded by personal setbacks. Last season, which was his first with the Rossoneri, Jovic managed to score six goals in 23 Serie A appearances a modest return that did little to cement his position as a key player.
The exclusion from AC Milan's Champions League squad marks yet another disappointment for Jovic, whose career has been marked by a dramatic fall from grace. He was once regarded as a player with immense potential, especially after his standout season at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he netted 27 goals. His performances in Germany attracted the attention of Real Madrid, who signed him in 2021 for a substantial fee of 63 million euros. However, Jovic struggled to adapt to life in Spain, scoring only three goals in 51 appearances for Real Madrid. His underwhelming performance led to a loan return to Eintracht Frankfurt before eventually being released on a free transfer to Fiorentina.
In the summer of 2023, Jovic joined AC Milan in hopes of revitalizing his career. He was expected to compete with veteran striker Olivier Giroud for a starting spot. However, despite Giroud’s departure from the club, Jovic has found himself behind new signings Álvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham in the pecking order. Both Morata and Abraham have been included in Milan's Champions League squad, indicating the club's preference for them over Jovic in their European campaign. Additionally, Divock Origi, another forward option, was also left out of the Champions League squad, suggesting that Milan's coaching staff is looking to other players to lead their attack in Europe.
In addition to Jovic’s exclusion, another new Milan signing, Silvano Vos, who transferred from Ajax, has also been left out of the Champions League squad. Despite showing promise, Vos has not been registered for the European competition, which means he won’t have the chance to make his mark on the continental stage just yet. On the other hand, Tijjani Reijnders, a fellow recent addition to Milan’s roster, has been included in the A-list squad for the Champions League, indicating the club’s faith in his abilities and potential contribution to the team.
Overall, the start of the season has been challenging for both Luka Jovic and AC Milan. For Jovic, the latest exclusion is a stark reminder of the precarious nature of his career trajectory, while for Milan, their early-season struggles suggest that they have much work to do to achieve their goals in both domestic and European competitions.
Updated: 02:47, 4 Sep 2024
