Noah Okafor made a significant impact for AC Milan in their season opener against Torino, scoring a crucial injury-time equalizer after coming off the bench.
The late goal underscored Okafor’s knack for delivering in key moments.
As highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s opening match unfolded in two distinct phases.
The initial lineup, featuring Chukwueze, Pulisic, Calabria, Bennacer, and Jovic, struggled.
However, the second phase, with Okafor, Theo, Morata, Reijnders, and Musah, saw a notable turnaround in performance.
Despite playing only 870 minutes across 28 games last season and starting just six times, Okafor demonstrated his potential to become a more integral part of Milan’s attacking setup.
His performance against Torino indicates he could surpass Jovic as a backup striker to Morata.
Jovic’s struggle was evident as he failed to link effectively with the midfield, a recurring issue when he plays without another forward.
Okafor, in contrast, has shown his ability to score vital goals, including a late winner against Udinese, a decisive strike against Lazio, and an equalizer against Sassuolo.
The coming months will be pivotal for Okafor’s career.
His limited role in the Swiss national team during the European Championship was attributed to a lack of consistent playing time and a defined role, issues that could persist if he does not secure a regular spot this season.
Nonetheless, Okafor’s performance suggests a marked improvement from last season.
After a promising display against Monza, he appears to be in peak form, potentially positioning himself as Milan’s third-choice striker and putting pressure on Jovic for a more prominent role.
