Massimiliano Allegri is studying how to get the best out of Rafael Leao, and he may use the same approach he did with Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes that Leao and Cristiano Ronaldo have a lot of differences, bit what unites them is a mild propensity for non-possession play and Allegri as a coach trying to make it work.
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Allegri has been working closely with Rafa since day one: he speaks to him often, encourages him, and also showers him with compliments when he gets things right during training sessions. Leao is a talent he admires tremendously, because he knows the team are better when the winger performs.
At the same time, however, he knows that for this to happen, he can’t be asked to make too many sacrifices defensively. The iron fist adopted first by his compatriots Paulo Fonseca and then (initially) by Sergio Conceiçao didn’t yield the desired results.
Despite finishing in double figures for goals and assists, Leao didn’t impress for large parts of the season. Allegri wants to change strategy, knowing Rafa will not run up and down the flank dozens of times a game. Max’s experience at Juventus alongside CR7 come into play.
Coverage
Even the 2018-19 Juventus team – the last of Allegri’s first Juventus spell and the first of Cristiano’s three-year stint – played primarily with a 4-3-3, the same formation the Rossoneri will employ. Just as happened in Turin with Ronaldo starting wide on the left, Leao will also be expected to get some help.
At Juventus, Matuidi dropped down the left flank, transforming the tactical system into a 4-4-2 with the right winger of the attacking trio (Dybala or Bernardeschi) dropping back into midfield. At Milan, this new ‘job’ will fall to Pulisic, who shouldered it numerous times last season as well.
Who will be tasked with ‘sliding’ to the left to avoid leaving any space behind Rafa? Asking Modric to do so isn’t an option. At least not consistently. The choice could be between Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while we will also have to see how the Ardon Jashari saga plays out.
Rafa will certainly work harder than Ronaldo during his recovery phase because he’s younger than when CR7 arrived in Serie A and because he has a different status. At the same time, however, he won’t be squeezed or distorted.
Max is convinced that the Rossoneri No.10 hasn’t yet expressed his full potential in terms of scoring. For this reason, he needs to start closer to the opponent’s penalty area.
The left-back factor
The new left-back, when he arrives, will also help cover spaces, particularly on the left flank. Among his key attributes is a greater focus on defensive diagonals and controlling his own area compared to Theo Hernandez.
The Frenchman was exceptional in the attacking phase for five years but lacked coverage on the left flank last season, not helped by a number of individual errors and a general lack of discipline.
The hope is that with more coverage from the full-back and left midfielder, Leao will finally reveal his full potential. Conceicao tried with a 3-4-3, and now Allegri will try with the ‘midfield shift’.
Useless player he will be greatest flop of 2025,26 season. So aimless player
There is no player that is useless not to talk of Rafael leao, no player in Ur inter Milan that plays better than Rafa…not even Thuram. So take Ur useless self out of Ac Milan issues.
This is what Pioli did by letting Tonali help on the left flank.
100%
This allowed both Theo and Leao flourish.
That’s why I’d keep Pobega. If Allegri plans to play 433 that converts into 442, he’ll need a left footed midfielder to cover Leao when he runs in. I don’t see RLC, Modrić or Fofana in that role on the left side. Ricci is the only one that comes to mind but Pobega could be a good alternative.
Quick question…how many top flight teams would ask their most effective scorer the past two seasons, one of the top scorers in Serie A, to have to cover defensively for a player who often demonstrates disinterest on the pitch?
Thank God This Writer is Not Allegri, Keep Writing Your Thoughts Assumptions.
Allow The Coach Work, State Facts and Post Real Interviews.
not RLC, this guy never bloody runs cmon. Ricci or Fofana
I just don’t like the idea of any of our CMs suddenly acting as LMs. Either you bring in a true wide left player and actually play 4-4-2, or stick to 4-3-3 come what may with Leao’s lack of defense. The other option would be to switch to 3-4-3 or 3-5-2/3-4-1-2, and I have a sneaking suspicion that Allegri will do just that sometime before Christmas.
3-4-3:
Tomori-Gabbia-Pavlo
Jimenez/Salad-Jashari/Modric-Ricci-New LB
Puli-Gimenez-Leao
3-4-1-2:
Tomori-Gabbia-Pavlo
Jimenez/Salad-Jashari/Modric-Ricci-New LB
Puli
Gimenez-Leao