In yesterday’s press-conference prior to this evening’s trip to Verona to face Chievo, Milan coach Vincenzo Montella admitted that he will unleash Gianluca Lapadula onto the Flying Donkeys. This will be the 26-year-olds big chance to prove he has a future with the rossoneri since his summer move from Pescara. With Colombian striker Carlos Bacca set to sit this one out having been clocking up more air miles during the international break, Montella will rest his star striker in anticipation of next weekend’s clash with Juventus.
 

Lapadula has been in the starting XI just once this season, on matchday four against Sampdoria where he failed to convince. Since then his opportunities have been limited but in a recent friendly against Chiasso, his form suggested that he raring to go in Verona.  

Last season, despite scoring 30 goals for Pescara, his season started slowly. Lapadula failed to get onto the score-sheet until matchday five and his then boss Massimo Oddo echoed the words by Montella yesterday when he stated that; “He’s prepared to do the ugly things but he must spend less energy doing this and get his head up more to produce a more polished performance”.


By Marco Demicheli. Adapted & translated by Steve Mitchell