Ex-Napoli GK backs Samuel Chukwueze to lift Milan past Fiorentina in the absence of Portuguese and French stars

The Nigeria international will likely get the chance to drop the scales around his ankles and impress for the San Siro giants

Former Napoli goalkeeper Giovanni Galli has tipped Samuel Chukwueze to show his quality for AC Milan when they trade tackles with Fiorentina this weekend, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Milan host Fiorentina at the San Siro on Saturday as Stefano Pioli’s men seek their first league win in five games. The Rossoneri are without a win in Serie A since beating Genoa 1-0 on October 7.

Beating Fiorentina could be a difficult task, especially with Portuguese forward Rafael Leão and French striker Olivier Giroud set to miss the clash.

In the absence of Giroud, who has seven league goals, and Leão (three), manager Pioli will likely hand starting berths to Chukwueze and Serbian forward Luka Jovic.

Both players have been on the periphery this term, with Chukwueze making three starts in eight appearances, while Jovic has only started two matches.

A lot is still expected of Chukwueze, who arrived from Villarreal in the summer, with the Nigerian forward providing just one assist in eight appearances.

Galli, who featured for both Fiorentina and Milan during a disguised playing career, has backed Chukwueze to shine bright in the absence of Giroud and Leão.

“Right now, playing a delicate match without two such strong attackers can take its toll,” Galli told Gazzetta dello Sport as per Notizie Milan.

“For Fiorentina, it will be a clear advantage, but I expect that sooner or later, the others will also be unlocked. Above all, Chukwueze. He hasn’t been seen so far, but the player observed in Spain can be entertaining.”

Chukwueze is fully recovered from the knock that kept him out of Nigeria’s first two World Cup qualifiers in November.

In his absence, the Super Eagles laboured to disappointing draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.