Condo labels Leao ‘the disappointment of the second round’ and adds: “Much more was expected”

Rafael Leao continues to be the disappointment of the second half of the season for AC Milan so far, according to Paolo Condo.

The Portuguese youngster is a left-winger by nature and he has always performed best in this position. However, as a result of several injuries, Stefano Pioli has had no other option but to start him in the centre-forward role.

It hasn’t exactly been a super successful decision, given that Leao is currently on an nine-game goal drought. Admittedly, he has only played the last four games as the centre-forward, but that has been the position where he has scored all his goals this season.

Not only that, but when he has struggled to get on that ball and try to make things happen, some fans and sections of the media have accused him of being absent and going missing in games, which compromises the entire system.

Condo launched into criticism of Leao during his column for La Repubblica after Milan’s defeat against Napoli as the well-known sports journalist spoke about the form of the Portuguese forwards.

“The knockout against Napoli ended the long flirtation between Milan and the Scudetto: the return derby has already been played, and without a direct confrontation the distance has become too much,” he said (via SpazioMilan).

“Leao continues to be the disappointment of the second round: even yesterday, inside a tactical framework controlled by Napoli, he had big chances before and after Politano’s goal. After a sparkling journey, much more was expected.

“The stake now becomes the place in the Champions League, and here the margin remains good after the defeat of Roma: there is nothing accidental in the fact that the two teams of the Europa League have paid a price in the league (Milan and Roma).”