‘Goals, goals and goals’ – two goal-scoring greats tread two different paths

On Sunday, these two old but amazing warriors could meet on the battlefield (seemingly Higuain is in doubt for the clash, editor’s note). Edin Dzeko, the big Bosnian, who was Inter’s prime goal last summer and Gonzalo Higuain, who was allegedly close to AS Roma in that exact same summer, as Dzeko’s replacement.

I must admit it was rather logical. Yes, Roma would wave goodbye to a deadly striker who would join a rival, but in exchange, they get a possibly even bigger name and goal-scoring machine–one who’s one-and-a-half years younger than Edin, too. And Roma would cash in on a 33-year-old participant who was soon out of contract. Hooray, funds for a new stadium! Or some new seats because Gonzalo wasn’t coming for free.

The media were fairly sure this would occur in July 2019, yet they were horribly wrong.

While Dzeko is a certain starter at Roma and just extended his contract, Gonzalo’s future at Juve is far from certain. Dybala, Bernardeschi, and Douglas Costa are younger than him while Juve just bought Kulusevski. And Ronaldo always plays, regardless of what happens (unless he runs out of hair gel). Gonzalo’s wages are the same as Belgium’s GDP ( 60% chocolate, 40% beer) while he is on the wrong side of 30.

Both guys have shared lots of experiences since 2015 when Dzeko first arrived in Rome. His first season was disappointing while Higuain smashed all records at Napoli with 36 goals in Serie A. Ironically the next season the tables have turned: Dzeko finished as capocannoniere with a remarkable 29 goals while Higuain combined his new team Juve and ‘just’ reached 16 because of too high expectations.

On Sunday, they will represent nearly 200 goals combined in Serie A (again, IF Higuain plays). A match inside a match one could say. In 2019-2020 both of these strikers have similar stats. Dzeko scored 7 goals in 18 games, Higuain 5 goals in 16 games. Almost identical, though Dzeko has essentially no competition up front and literally everyone in Rome adheres to his match. Gonzalo, on the other hand, has a certain Ronaldo alongside him who takes all the spotlights (and goal-scoring opportunities). With Zaniolo, Diawara, Pellegrini, Pjanic, Matuidi, and Dybala, both Dzeko and Higuain can’t complaining about help from their various midfielders.