Former Bayern Munich and Olympique Lyonnais defender, Jérôme Boateng, finds himself grappling with challenges in his latest stint with Serie A club Salernitana. After the end of his contract with Olympique Lyonnais, the 35-year-old German joined the relegation-threatened Salernitana in Italy, hoping for a fresh start.
Boateng, plagued by legal troubles surrounding allegations of domestic violence against his ex-wife, faced a tumultuous period at Olympique Lyonnais.
Despite initial training with Bayern Munich for a potential return, public criticism prompted a change of plans.
Eventually, the defender made his way to Italy, debuting for Salernitana on February 2 against Torino, a match ending in a goalless draw.
Coach Filippo Inzaghi praised Boateng’s performance in his debut, acknowledging the challenging circumstances.
However, Salernitana faced a setback with a 3-1 defeat against Empoli, leading to the departure of Inzaghi and the appointment of Fabio Liverani as the new coach.
Boateng’s struggles intensified in the subsequent match against Inter Milan, where Salernitana suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat.
The Italian media did not hold back in their criticism of Boateng’s performance. The Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted his defensive lapses, stating, “Twenty-three minutes completely underwater before getting hurt.”
Boateng was blamed for his role in the first two goals conceded by Salernitana. His early departure from the field due to injury spared him from further scrutiny.
Coach Fabio Liverani addressed Boateng’s fitness concerns after the match, expressing gratitude for the player’s determination but emphasizing the challenges of intense fixtures.
Liverani stated, “He is not capable of playing full matches. We must thank him for his will, but it is clear that these very intense challenges can be difficult for him.”
As Salernitana languishes at the bottom of Serie A, Boateng faces a daunting task to help the team avoid relegation.
With only seven points separating them from safety, the 2014 World Cup Champion’s journey in Italy raises concerns about his ability to make a significant impact in the challenging Serie A environment.
