Diego Moreira has given Milan an early-season reminder that influence is not measured only by starts. After six matches in all competitions, the Belgian is the club’s leading scorer with three goals, despite beginning only once and spending much of the opening month waiting for his chance from the bench.
Milan have played five Serie A fixtures and one Europa League match so far, and Moreira’s minutes have been limited. His only start came in the third league round, away to Juventus in Turin, where he was withdrawn after an hour. He has also featured for 45 minutes against Lazio, for just over 20 minutes against Lecce, and entered in the 57th minute against Benfica.
That modest workload has nevertheless produced the best goals return in the Rossoneri squad. No Milan player has scored more often during the first month of the campaign.
A decisive spell in Serie A
All three of Moreira’s goals have arrived in Serie A, in the period from the second half of Lazio-Milan through to the final whistle against Lecce. They have also shown different elements of his game.
He struck a forceful left-foot volley from a Christian Pulisic cross, followed it with a low left-footed finish into the corner, then produced an individual goal against Lecce after taking on Siebert.
Goals have not previously been the strongest feature of Moreira’s profile. He scored five times for Strasbourg last season and managed two goals in his first full campaign in France. At Milan, however, he has begun to turn his attacking energy into a more tangible contribution in front of goal.
Moreira’s response to his role
Three of his four appearances have come as a substitute, while the Juventus outing remains his lone start and his least productive match so far. The 22-year-old has made clear that he sees no difference in the responsibility attached to starting or coming on later.
“I know what I want from my life and from my career, so staying focused is important,” Moreira said. “I think I am the clearest example at the moment: I am not starting, but I come off the bench, score and believe I am playing well.
“My job is to help the team and give everything. Whether I begin the match or enter later, I have to give my all. That is how I can become a regular starter. Now I must keep working, keep believing and show the coach that I am ready to start every game.”
More than one route into Amorim’s plans
Moreira’s case is strengthened by his versatility. Against Juventus he operated on the right flank; at Lazio he played from the left; against Lecce he was used as a roaming attacking midfielder behind Ramos.
Amorim would prefer to retain either Moreira or Chukwueze as an attacking option during matches, making it less likely that both will regularly start together. Yet Moreira’s ability to cover several roles gives him an advantage as Milan’s season begins to take shape.
For now, his impact has come in short bursts rather than through a settled place in the side. But the opening weeks suggest that Moreira is moving quickly from useful substitute to a player who will increasingly demand consideration from the first whistle.
