There have been claims that AC Milan were better without Rafael Leao this season. However, that feels like a difficult claim to agree with.
After the draw with Atalanta, Billy Costacurta made quite a bold claim: that Milan were ‘better’ without the Portuguese star on the pitch. He cited that the Rossoneri concede more with him in the team, and move away from a team of 11 players.
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Milan better without Leao?
So, today, MilanNews took a look at the numbers of the season, and there is some truth to what he says.
Without Leao, the Rossoneri won three games and lost once (against Cremonese). In these games, they also conceded two goals, both in the loss. Then, since the Portuguese returned, they have won twice and drawn three times.
From a points perspective, it is the same, albeit with an extra game played. However, they have also conceded three more goals with him than they did without him. This is where we must add context, though.
With Leao back, they have faced Napoli, Juventus, Fiorentina, Pisa and Atalanta, a substantially more difficult set of opponents. Additionally, key players have been missing, which has certainly had an effect on things.
It is worth considering that only a week ago, Costacurta stated that Leao was ‘always a starter’, even if he admitted that he always needs to provide answers, otherwise others will come into his spot.
this is just bs in italian newspapers. very dissapointed with sempremilan. it should be noted estupinian pulisic rabiot are mising from first team.who would of won th games with or without and he leao would of done the same or spared of defnesive duties
I would take Lookman over Leao any day. Lookman is consistent and he works hard for the team.
Well take him.
This. He’d take us to the next level for sure.
“With Leao back, they have faced Napoli, Juventus, Fiorentina, Pisa and Atalanta, a substantially more difficult set of opponents.”
I love how MilanNews sneaked in Napoli and Juventus to make Leao look better.
For people that remember, Leao came of the bench in those 2 games, and it was utterly useless.
Vs Napoli, with him on the pitch, Milan went from playing 10 v 11 to playing 9 vs 11 because he refused to run.
Vs Juventus, all he did was miss 2 clear-cut goalscoring chances.
Fiorentina and Pisa were the 2 worst teams in the league when Milan played them.
Without Leao Milan played vs Cremonese, Bologna, Udinese, Napoli, Juventus, all in the top 10 of the league, plus Lecce.
So much for substantially more difficult opponents with Leao.
Yes, and I love how you don’t bother to mention that we are missing Rabiot and Pulisic. Nothing to do with Leao. You people really are clowns.
How did Milan do against Cremonese without Leao? 🤣I mean I can cherry pick like you re*ards always do.
Calling folks clowns yet repeatedly replying to yourself.
Your gonna get hair on your palms boyo.
Someone needs to explain the term cheery picking to you, because you have no idea what it means.
I put every game played this season in my comment, genius. What cherry picking?
Fanboys unhinged as always.
Useless comments on daily basis about how Puli is great and Leao is bad, like we do not have any memory.
Z you’re totally cherry picking. If Napoli and Juve don’t count then surely not having 4 starters in the lineup equally counts. Sure is crazy but you might be more delusional
It is without Rabiot. This is the comparison. With or without Rabiot, not Leao. Wait until they are both in the team…
Leao this Leao that… Too much noise all the time! Leao was central in every success we have had in the past years. Leave him alone, he will not leave in January anyhow… so lets wait and see where we are in summer. The media noise will do no good anyway.
Another genius Leao fanboy.
Speaking of useless comments on daily basis.
I wrote 2 comments and never mentioned Pulisic.
I guess Pulisic makes Leao fanboys mad too.
Fanboys need to start using their brains when they comment instead of their feelings.
Hahaha
we without Leao can play only if change all team now.
His fangirls hate it and will never admit it, but yes. We have demonstrated already this season we are practically a man down when he starts. His lack of effort and tendency to ghost 90% of his minutes hinders this team and always has. You can bootlick his highlight reels all you want, doesn’t change reality. We we’re doing incredibly well without him tibstart the season. Now we basically have a passenger in the field for 85min per game. Would’ve replace him with lookman or even vlahovic in a heartbeat
Simmer down you haters. You’ll are just being bitter. Leao is an immense talent. He isn’t always consistent but he’s delivered more than any player outside of Pulisic. This narrative that a striker is responsible for defensive performance is hogwash! He definitely could be better at pressing and filling space when not in possession but he’s been as consistent as anyone when attacking. I don’t remember Sheva or Kaka for their defense or pressing for god sakes! Gimenez has been a drag on the whole offense, get someone who can make central runs and finish chances to pair with Leao and this attack will be quite productive.
It’s hilarious that the haters like Ian think calling fans names makes up their lack of evidence to support their truly delusional claims. Get real nerds!
Milan won vs. Fiorentina thanks to Gimenez. He is the one who earned the penalty. He also earned a penalty vs. Juventus that Pulisic missed. He has no service since Rabiot and Pulisic have been out.
Leao will be 33 years old, and fans like you will still talk about him as immense talent. I read people still calling Balloteli an immense talent.
Are Costacurta and Ambrosini also nerds that lack evidence for their delusional claims?
Even a blind squirrel gets a few nuts. 7 big chances missed, I want Gimenez to succeed as much as anyone trust me but if you’re suggesting that Gimenez is responsible for Leao’s output this year then you are delusional.
I don’t know what Ambrosini said but I know 100% Leao would start every game under ambrosini. Costacurta is definitely delusional as he contradicts himself every single week. Not just with Milan but all his takes. The dude is embarrassing himself, last week “Leao is undroppable” this week “Leao should never start” always caught in the heat of the moment never clear eyed.
Costacurta didn’t say that Leao should never start but that Milan is a better team without him.
It’s not that hard to understand since they do play better as a team without him because they all run. Leao doesn’t.
Leao was awful prior to Gimenez entering the game vs Fiorentina. Go watch the game and see who is delusional.
Leao would be a starter for 18 of the other 19 teams in this league, he’d be a starter for every club in Europe out side of Liverpool, Arsenal, RM, Bayern, MC, Barca, Inter and maybe PSG. That is immense talent.
Side note, your confusing talent and potential. I said he has immense talent. I’m not saying he will be great one day, I’m saying he is great now. Is he Ballon d’Or level, no is better then 99% of professional forwards absolutely
The only one confused here is you who think that Leao is a great player now.
Fans, pundits, ex players, ex coaches don’t question on weekly basis a player who is great. And also when they refer to a 26 year old as just a talent its just polite and subtle way of telling you he ain’t sh!t.
Funny how you took out all the top clubs in the Europe where Leao wont be a starter but you call him great. That show that he isn’t great like you think.
Arsenal left winger is Martinelli who is trash and you don’t think that the great Leao can start ahead of him.
Doku or Savinho start for ManCity. Also trash. You don’t think Leao can start ahead of them too.
Gakpo starts for Liverpool. Not a great player and yet you don’t think that Leao can start ahead of him either.
Luis Diaz starts at Bayern. Decent player but not a great player. You don’t think Leao can start ahead of him.
You are absolutely right that Leao has no chance of starting for Real and Barcelona.
Inter starter is Thuram. Half a decent forward. You don’t think that Leao can start ahead of him.
Maybe PSG? He definitely isn’t starting over Kvara at PSG.
I think you are very confused.
“Leao is an immense talent. ”
Talent is nothing without work. Look at Balotelli. There are millions of talented people who never make it because they’re not willing to work.
I’m 100% sure you think Giroud made it. And yet Balotelli won more and was a more useful player even in his 4-5 years he tried harder than usually. It is because you are from the USA and football will never be something you actually understand. Maybe your grandchildren might get there.
Look, kiddo. I never said Balotelli “didn’t make it”. He could have been something bigger but didn’t want to work. The same could happen to Leao.
And also, adults are trying to have a civilized discussion here. No need for small kids with their teen angst taking over every thread. So far I’ve seen hundred posts by you and you couldn’t contribute in any of them.
The stats there are not an all else being equal. Pulisic is also not there and both him and Leao together make up a large chunk of our attack. They also benefit from each other, something we haven’t yet seen fully this season.
For this season sure but it’s early days still, and as the article says the level of opposition is higher than what we faced earlier. Leao also was injured and has been for some time (recent match he was playing injured according to the coach 🤷♂️). He’s not 100% by any means.
If however you look back at pretty much all the past seasons with us, stats will tell you he’s ranked near the top or top for the team’s +/- when he on the field.
But I really don’t see the aggressive stance of these outlets when you don’t score or assist in a game. Very “sky is falling” and you lose credibility doing that at the expense of generating short term engagement
Remember that Leao is our highest earner. So, all the members who complain here have a valid reason in complaining. And now we’re a better team without our highest earner? Well, now we’re talking.