Dropped by Colombia, Bacca needs to get back in the goals fast | by Alessandro Di Gioia
There is little doubt: Carlos Bacca is having a nightmare at the moment.
Having not scored for AC Milan in over five weeks (last netting against Sassuolo in that crazy 4-3 comeback), the Colombian was hoping to get back in form in front of his home crowd of Barranquilla.
The former fisherman and ticket seller hadn’t netted in four games for his country, but was hoping to end his rut against Chile, knowing that a win would allow Colombia to gain further ground in the race for Russia 2018, with both Chile and Argentine massively struggling.
Instead, Coach Jose Pekerman left him on the bench for Miguel Borja and Radamel Falcao… only to then bring on Luis Muriel and Macknelly Torres.
A disconsolate Bacca could only sit and watch as the Cafeteros sputtered to an unconvincing 0-0 draw, his home crowd stunned by the debacle.
Though we don’t want to press the panic button quite yet, upcoming opponents Argentine will be a tall order for Bacca, who could start. Because of their crisis, the Albiceleste won’t be pulling any punches.
Milan fans can only hope that Bacca stops doing as much in Italy, especially with Inter Milan looming on the horizon. It’s frankly crucial for someone like the Fisherman to score, as opposed to team-mates M’Baye Niang and Suso. The latter at least contribute, while Bacca touched the ball a mere 15 times against Palermo, and few more against Pescara and Genoa).
Thing is, the 29-year-old’s start (6 goals in 12 games) to the Serie A echoes what he did last year with Milan, and the previous season (7 goals) with Sevilla.
Coach Vincenzo Montella is seriously considering starting Gianluca Lapadula instead of him, seeing as he’s coming off a great backheeled goal against Palermo, and will be more fresh. Earlier on this season, Lapadula was started against Sampdoria, only for Bacca to come on and net the winner. In Sicily, on the other hand, the roles were reverted.
The Colombian will hope he can bounce back against a sacrificial victim of his, having netted in both league games with Stefano Pioli’s Lazio last season.
