Fabio Capello doesn’t understand what is going on with Santiago Gimenez. The former coach cannot explain why the Mexican was so good at Feyenoord and now can’t score a goal anymore.

Fabio Capello has never been one to mince his words, and once again the legendary Italian coach has offered his blunt assessment of AC Milan’s current squad.

The former manager of both Milan and Real Madrid believes that Stefano Pioli’s side is performing at a very high level, showing balance, defensive solidity, and tactical discipline. Yet, in his view, one crucial piece is missing. “AC Milan are very good. They are well balanced and give little away. The only thing missing is a proper striker,” Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Milan’s form in Serie A has indeed been impressive in recent weeks. The Rossoneri have strung together three consecutive league victories without conceding a single goal, a reminder of the defensive strength that has often characterized their most successful eras. But while the back line looks assured and the midfield continues to provide both energy and control, questions linger over the frontline. Goals have not flowed as easily as supporters would like, and Capello pointed directly to Mexican forward Santiago Gimenez as the symbol of this struggle.

The contrast between Gimenez’s past and present is stark. During his time at Feyenoord, he was lethal in front of goal, scoring 65 times in just 104 appearances. His reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers was built on his ability to combine power, movement, and efficiency. That record convinced Milan to bring him in as their main attacking reinforcement. Yet so far in Italy, things have not clicked in the same way. With only six goals to his name since arriving, Gimenez’s adaptation has been far from smooth.

Capello admitted that even he cannot fully understand the reasons behind this decline. “I can’t explain that. It’s unbelievable. In the Netherlands he always scored,” he said, voicing the frustration that many Milan fans share. The coach’s words underline a mystery that has puzzled analysts: why has a player so prolific in the Eredivisie struggled to reproduce that form in Serie A?

There are several theories. Some point to the difference in leagues. Serie A is notoriously unforgiving for strikers, with defensive organizations far more structured and experienced than in the Dutch competition. Gimenez, who thrived on quick transitions and space behind defenses in Rotterdam, has often found himself tightly marked, with fewer opportunities to exploit his instinctive finishing. Others suggest that the pressure of playing for a club with Milan’s history and expectations may have affected his confidence.

Despite the disappointing numbers, Capello was keen to emphasize that all is not lost for the 23-year-old. “I don’t think he has forgotten how to score. On top of that, he is still creating chances. The real problem comes when you are no longer able to create opportunities for yourself,” he added. In other words, as long as Gimenez continues to find positions, make runs, and get on the end of chances, his goals will eventually return.

This perspective is important for both the player and the club. Strikers often live and die by their goal tallies, and droughts can quickly spiral into crises of confidence. But Capello’s message suggests patience. He reminded Milan supporters that form is temporary, and a forward who has proven his finishing ability across two seasons in the Netherlands cannot simply lose that instinct overnight.

For Milan, the dilemma is clear. They are a team on the rise, competing strongly in Serie A and determined to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite in the Champions League. To reach those heights, they will need a reliable source of goals. Capello’s comments serve as both a warning and an encouragement: Gimenez must rediscover his Feyenoord touch, and soon, if Milan are to turn promise into silverware.

As for the player himself, the coming weeks will be crucial. Serie A has a long history of strikers who struggled initially before adapting and thriving from Andriy Shevchenko to Edinson Cavani, both of whom needed time before becoming legends in Italy. Milan’s hope is that Gimenez follows a similar trajectory. If he does, the Rossoneri may well have found the “proper striker” that Capello insists is missing. If not, the pressure will only intensify, both on the Mexican forward and on the club’s transfer strategy.