Fabio Capello has revealed his belief that Rafael Leao cannot operate as a striker for AC Milan, who need a reinforcement in that area.
Leao is not having a bad season by any means, given that he is the joint-top scorer in the league for Milan with eight goals, matching the tally that he racked up in the entirety of last season, and being one away from his 2023-24 total.
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However, by his and Massimiliano Allegri’s admission, Leao hasn’t been playing at 100% for some time now due to an adductor issue that turned into pubalgia. Meanwhile, there are concerns about whether playing as a striker in a front two – and not as a winger – is getting the best out of him.
Capello gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he explained his concerns about Milan, including the notion that they used too much energy up chasing Inter and might now suffer a drop-off. He also comments on the striker issue.
“They [Milan] have two obvious flaws: they lack a top-notch defender and a starting centre-forward, given that Allegri only uses Füllkrug during the match,” he said.
“For me, he’s [Leao] simply not a centre-forward. Let’s leave aside the number of goals, but the Portuguese is unable to be a point of reference for his teammates, we can now say that with full knowledge of the facts.”
Everyone knows this expect allegri for some reason
I said this at the beginning of the season but Allegri will not listen Leao became popular in Milan because he was playing from the left wing but Allegri came and try to change him to a striker which I find it hard to understand. Allegri formation is the only problem we have not the players. Everyone is doing their work perfect but when the wingers cross the ball into the opponent’s box and no striker to connect who do you blame? How many times this season have you seen Milan scored so many goals like Inter? None because international has 2 strikers inside the box whenever there’s crossing but Allegri Striker (winger) is the one doing the crossing. So if Allegri wants a meaningful team let him play Leao left wing Pullisic supporting striker and the guy from West ham standing striker goals will flow. This is my opinion
OTKRIO JE TOPLU VODU !!!! Pa to pjevaju tice na grani !! Milan mora igrat sa dva ubitačna krila a tu spadaju ,od onoga što imamo , Leao Salemakers, Pulišič i Nkuku !!! Te vrhunskim centarforom kojeg nemamo ali eto barem Filkrug i Himenez
It’s time to pack up the 3-5-2.
So Allegri makes Leao play as a number 9 because he chooses that to be the reality. The fact that Leao does not possess the requirements to be a number 9 is entirely irrelevant. It is like Allegri choosing to make somebody become something different than what they are will magically grant them the ability to do what he asks of them. What-the-actual-F-is-this-lunacy.
But hey, people here say Allegri has won x times more scudetti than us so Allegri knows best and his decisions should NEVER be questioned. Unless he benches Leao I think. 😀
Anyone with eyes knows Leao belongs on the wing, as does Pulisic. the 2 up front is only by necessity as our CB’s are clearly not good enough to not concede even when we have 5 back there, like with Parma.
This. We need to strengthen the spine this summer. It’s kind of mind-boggling that we’re renewing Tomori. Sell him this summer and bring in a top CB. Pair that top CB with either De Winter or Gabbia in a back four. Then bring in a top CM, to put into the right side of the midfield with Rabiot on the left and Modric/Jashari in the middle, and then a top striker to play in between Leao and Pulisic. 4-3-3 is the way to go.
They are renewing Tomori because there’s no immediate ambition to win anything…
non of the trio of Pavlovic, Tomori or Gabbia is good enuf for back 2, we will leak goals like basket
I don’t disagree, but I’m also weary of wholesale changes at once. Imagine selling all three of them and bringing in three new center backs. Maybe those individuals will be better, maybe not, but there will definitely be an “adjustment period”, which will most likely accomplish nothing more than creating different problems and hold us back for another year. I think a more gradual approach is called for. One top CB to play next to one of the other already there, then the following summer we continue evolving.
I totally agree with you Vero Rossonero
TOTALLY AGREE TOO
👍
Only the arrogant Allegri don’t understand that common logic,why can’t he uses 3 strikers against smaller teams, with Leo Fullkrug Pulisic, goals against Parma wouldn’t have been difficult
Leao not CF what you talk and Capelo. Ofcource he not CF but what Alegri have? Fulkurg 😂😂 Gimenez 😂😂😂
Pavlovic is better CF or Gabbia then Fulkurg and Gimenez. Alegri not have choice and put Leao that is only normal thing.
Sad is Alegri is only coach at Seria A who only get 1 player which he want,and that is Rabiot. Im not surprise if he left Milan at the end and we will be again joke club like was before he come.
Yeah, I miss Leao’s acelerations on the left side when he would easily pass the defender like in a video game and then score amazing goals or made a cross for Giroud (who is now replaced by no one). Leao is amazing as a winger but just average as a centre forward.
Hope Alegri can find a true number 9 for the next season and then put Leao back on the left wing.
Definitely bro hes not striker. Pioli know him better than anything, that’s why he put leao on the left wing. Left wing + free role, he can exploded !!